Why did SAARC fail the hope for regional cooperation?
Leaders of SAARC countries at the concluding session of 18th SAARC Summit (November 27, 2014). Photo Courtesy: Shivraj/Photo Division In November 2014, the 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit adopted a 36-point Kathmandu Declaration, entitled Deeper Integration for Peace and Prosperity , promising necessary cooperation and collaboration among the member states. As per the announcement, Pakistan was scheduled to host the 19th SAARC summit in November 2016. However, in September 2016, after a terrorist attack on the Indian Army brigade headquarters near the town of Uri, Baramulla, Kashmir, which was allegedly conducted by the Jaish-e-Mohammed insurgents, the Indian side decided to boycott the summit. Soon after, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan followed suit and also denied attending the summit. Everyone knows the summit is not held yet . On December 8, 1985, the key architects of SAARC passed its charter stating the regional body is...