SAARC Summits 1985-2016: The Cancellation Phenomenon

Abstract

The article explores causes of the frequent cancellation of SAARC Summits and analyses its impact on the process of regional cooperation. The Summit gives regional leaders an opportunity to meet regularly and provides them an environment to deliberate on issues of common interests; decide on matters related to regional cooperation and bilateral issues in formal or informal meetings; start or resume talks and negotiate or sign agreements. SAARC members, however, have not benefitted from this forum due to its frequent cancellation. The SAARC Charter precludes discussion of contentious issues and bilateral political problems at its meetings in order to prevent the organisation from being adversely affected. However, the very existence of such problems among regional states, especially India‟s tense relations with other members, keep derailing the SAARC train. Over the years, domestic issues and internal political conditions of member states also caused postponement of the annual Summits.