South Asia is home to the some of the poorest nations in the world. The region desperately needs greater integration to marshal its resources and help stimulate development that will offer its citizens better lives. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was created to do just that, but the organization has been stymied by the region's politics. The postponement of a summit scheduled for this week is the latest blow to South Asia's hopes.
SAARC was founded in 1985. Its members include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives, whose citizens constitute about one-fifth of the Earth's population, and they live on less than 3 percent of the world's land, making the region the most densely populated area of the planet. More than 40 percent of the population lives on less than $1 a day. Adult literacy is only 55 percent. Intra-SAARC trade is just 4 percent, and the region accounts for a mere 1 percent share of world trade.
The dream of greater cooperation has been the foundation of SAARC. The reality of long-standing enmity has been an unyielding obstacle to its progress. The decision to postpone this week's meeting is yet more proof of the many difficulties posed by regional politics.