The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) came into being in 1985. The organization has eight members, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan and Afghanistan. Pakistan's relations with SAARC countries have been described below:
1. Pakistan and India
India is located in the East of Pakistan. Its capital is Delhi. Several efforts have been made to develop good relations and enhance cooperation between the two countries within the framework of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Pakistan has always expressed its wish to resolve its differences with India through dialogue. In SAARC Conference 1988, Pakistan and Indian Prime Ministers had the opportunity to meet and sign an agreement. Under the agreement, the two countries agreed not to attack each other's nuclear facilities. Under the SAARC Organization, relations between Pakistan and India have improved to some extent after 1990. Mutual trade and transportation increased. However, these relations could not go beyond a certain limit. During the SAARC Conference (Islamabad) in January 2004, talks were held between the President of Pakistan and the Prime Minister of India. A number of agreements were made between the two countries. Both leaders declared that dialogue process shall continue to resolve the unsettled issues. Kashmir issue is the basic cause of contention between Pakistan and India. It is not in the interest of India to come to a fair and just solution of Kashmir issue. On the other hand, Pakistan still stands by its just position that the Kashmir issue be resolved in accordance with the United Nation's resolutions and the opinion of the oppressed Kashmir. SAARC member countries have always played an effective role in resolving the all issues including Kashmir and water issues between Pakistan and India. India has always been an obstacle, thus the issue is still unresolved. This issue is a major hindrance to the improvement of relations between the two countries.
ii Pakistan and Bangladesh
The first SAARC Summit in 1985 and the seventh SAARC Summit 1993 were held in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Many steps were taken in these meetings to promote trade among the SAARC countries. 13th SAARC summit was held in Dhaka in 2005. Khalida Zia, the prime minister of Bangladesh, was elected chairperson for the next year. In this meeting, Pakistan called for resolving all the contentious issues between the SAARC partners. Pakistan also called for a solution to the Kashmir issue for regional cooperation and development. Pakistan has good relations with Bangladesh but there have been ups and down in this relationship. These relationships are improving over time. Pakistan and Bangladesh also have trade relations.
iii. Pakistan and Sri Lanka
Trade relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka are very strong. Sixth SAARC Summit was held in 1991 in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Delegates considered various proposals to control the growing trend of violence and- terrorism in Asia.
control the growing trend of violence and- terrorism in Asia.
In this summit Pakistan's Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif called for lasting peace in the region, adherence to the United Nation's Charter and control over nuclear weapons.
In 2011- 12, when dengue had spread dangerously in the Punjab province of Pakistan, the Sri Lankan government sent a team of expert doctors to Pakistan and both governments played an important role in the fight against dengue.
In 1998, 10th SAARC Summit was held in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. In this session, a meeting was held between the Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on the basis of which Vajpayee visited Lahore. Leaders of SAARC countries called for poverty eradication and promotion of mutual cooperation.
In early 2016, the Prime Minister of Pakistan visited Sri Lanka. During the visit, the two countries signed a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding in the fields of defense, security, counter- terrorism, trade and science and technology etc.