"Sometimes we visualize that SAARC's efforts come to halt because of various impediments to regional cooperation." Elaborate with reasonable examples of impediments.

Impediments to Regional Cooperation in SAARC

Several factors contribute to the difficulties faced by SAARC. These can be broadly categorized as political, economic, and security-related impediments.

1. Political Impediments

• Trust Deficit: A fundamental issue is the deep-seated mistrust among member states, particularly between India and Pakistan. Historical baggage, unresolved territorial disputes (like Kashmir), and accusations of cross-border terrorism create a hostile environment.
• National Sovereignty Concerns: Member states are often reluctant to cede any degree of sovereignty to a regional body, fearing loss of control over domestic policies. This hinders the implementation of common policies and initiatives.
• Domination Concerns: Smaller nations often perceive India as a regional hegemon and are wary of policies that might serve India’s interests at their expense. This leads to resistance and delays in decision-making.
• Political Instability: Frequent political changes and instability within member states (e.g., political crises in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Maldives) disrupt the continuity of regional cooperation efforts.

2. Economic Impediments

• Uneven Economic Development: Significant disparities in economic development levels among member states create imbalances and hinder the creation of a level playing field for trade and investment.
• Limited Intra-Regional Trade: Despite the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) established in 2006, intra-regional trade remains relatively low (around 5% of total trade) compared to other regional blocs. Non-tariff barriers, protectionist policies, and inadequate infrastructure impede trade flows.
• Infrastructure Deficits: Poor infrastructure, including transportation networks, energy grids, and communication systems, hinders regional connectivity and economic integration.
• Currency Convertibility: Lack of full currency convertibility restricts trade and investment flows.

3. Security Impediments

• Terrorism and Extremism: The presence of terrorist groups and extremist ideologies in the region poses a significant security threat and undermines regional stability. Cross-border terrorism remains a major point of contention between India and Pakistan.
• Border Disputes: Unresolved border disputes between member states (e.g., India-Pakistan, India-Bangladesh) create tensions and hinder cooperation.
• Maritime Security: Concerns over maritime security, including piracy and smuggling, affect regional trade and stability.
• Climate Change Impacts: Shared vulnerabilities to climate change, such as floods, droughts, and sea-level rise, require regional cooperation, but are often overshadowed by other political and security concerns.

4. Institutional Weaknesses

• Slow Decision-Making: SAARC’s consensus-based decision-making process is often slow and cumbersome, leading to delays in implementation.
• Limited Secretariat Capacity: The SAARC Secretariat lacks sufficient resources and capacity to effectively coordinate and implement regional initiatives.
• Lack of Monitoring and Evaluation: Inadequate monitoring and evaluation mechanisms hinder the assessment of the effectiveness of SAARC programs and projects.

Example: The 19th SAARC Summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad in 2016, was postponed indefinitely following the Uri attack in India, highlighting the impact of security concerns on regional cooperation. Similarly, the lack of progress on the Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) demonstrates the challenges in overcoming political and logistical hurdles to enhance regional connectivity.