Q. 19 “Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internal affairs of several member-states by Pakistan are not conducive for the future of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).” Explain with suitable examples.12.5 Answer: SAARC was founded in Dhaka on 8th December, 1985. The organisation promotes development of economic and regional integration. It launched the South Asian Free Trade Area in 2006. Peace and prosperity in the Indian subcontinent is affected by various ongoing conflicts in the region. Political dialogue is often conducted on the margins of SAARC meetings which have refrained from interfering in the internal matters of its member states. Afghanistan has frequently alleged Pakistani interference in its internal affairs and active support to Taliban and causing deadly attacks. Afghanistan even warned to take Pakistan to UN. Pakistani meddling in Afghanistan dated
before the 1979 Soviet invasion. Bangladesh strongly protested against the statement issued by Pakistan following the execution of Mir Quasem Ali, terming Islamabad’s remarks an interference in its internal affairs. On trade liberalisation and cross-border trade in energy during the last years, Pakistan pulled back when the agreements were ready for signature. Pakistan’s policy towards India has been making difficult for effective implementation of SAARC policy. The SAARC process has been in limbo since India-Pakistan tensions spiked after a terror attack on an Indian Army camp at Uri. September 2008 attack in Mumbai had also affected smooth functioning of SAARC. The 19th
India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan decided to boycott it. It was for the first time that four countries boycotted a SAARC summit.
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