SAARC : Origin, Growth and Future

Contents: Preface. Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction. 2. SAARC - genesis of the organization. 3. A profile of the region. 4. Indophobia and the SAARC. 5. Major powers - South Asia regional cooperation. 6. SAARC at work - retrospect and prospect. 7. SAARC - an overview - summary and conclusions. 8. Postscript. Select bibliography. Index.

"South Asia consists of states with divergent political systems and perceptions and yet with social, cultural and ethnic affinities. While good neighbourly relations among the main actors of the region have been elusive, still the desire for collective self-reliance and development has brought these states together, and though belatedly, resulted in the evolution of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).

The success and failure of SAARC depends on various complex factors, both internal and external, governing the intra-regional relations of South Asia. In fact a proper understanding of SAARC, its evolution, its past track record and its future prospects is possible only when the whole gamut of relations are studied in their proper perspective.

This book is a modest and sincere effort to assess the role, performance and future prospects of the ambitious regional organisation." (jacket)