1. Introduction
Structure
Limitation
SAARC

2. Introduction
The South Asia Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) comprises the eight countries of South Asia, i.e. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, The Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
In 1985 Heads of seven states (Afghanistan was not a member then) officially launched SAARC by signing a Charter of SAARC and adopted Dhaka Declaration.
It does not discuss bilateral issues.
SAARC

3. SAARC Areas of Cooperation: Agriculture and Rural Development
Biotechnology
Culture
Economic and Trade
Education
Energy
Environment
Finance
Funding Mechanism
Information, Communication and Media
People to People Contact
Poverty Alleviation
Science and Technology
Security Aspects
Social Developments
Tourism
SAARC

4. SAARC STRUCTURE Council of Ministers (COM) Standing Committee
Technical Committee
Programming Committee
Other Mechanism
Expert Groups
SAARC

5. SAARC Council of Minister Council of Minister
Council of Ministers (COM) consists of ministers of foreign/external affairs of member states.
It is mandated to meet twice a year and also to hold its extra ordinary session (by agreement of among the member states).
It is governed by Article 5 of the SAARC Charter.
SAARC

6. SAARC Standing Committee
It consists of foreign secretaries of SAARC member states. It approves, monitors and prepares modalities of the projects. Also, looks after the projects' financial aspects.
It is mandated to meet as often as necessary. Generally, it has preceding sessions of COM.
The committee reports to COM on regular matters.
SAARC

7. SAARC Technical Committee Agricultural and Rural Development
Health and Population Activities
Women, Youth and Children
Science and Technology
Transport
Environment
SAARC

8. Programming/Action Committee
It assists the Standing Committee in matters relating to:
Selection of regional projects, including their locations
Cost Sharing modalities among the member states
It generally meets preceding the sessions of the standing committee. It is also mandated to convene on stand-alone basis to coordinate implementation of the approved SAARC programmes and activities.
SAARC

9. Other Mechanisms
Expert Groups:
HIV
Energy
Agriculture etc.
SAARC

10. SAARC Limitation of SAARC
According to SAARC Group of Eminent Persons' Report (1998):
Could not evolve any collective measures for global economic negotiations,
Collective decisions remained unexecuted, and
People to people interaction remained inactive.
India is blamed of trying to dominate the forum and furthering its agenda to dominating the region.
SAARC