How much power or voice do the SAARC member countries really have, when it comes to condemning coercive pressure from a superpower? Is it not apparent that US is actually calling the shots when it comes to making a regional strategic, economic and political decision? Is there really any imminent threat to the region should Iran be accommodated in the SAARC? Does Iran really pose a threat to the region? If Iran is indeed accommodated in the SAARC, there are some advantages. Right now India has an overwhelming dominating presence in the SAARC club. Iran's presence might turn out to be a balance in the power equation. And let's not forget Iran is a regional power in terms of its vast energy resources and as well as having a powerful voice globally.

On the cultural context, since the middle ages Iran (Persia) and the Subcontinent had numerous political, social and intellectual exchanges. Persian was the language of the ruling class up until the fall of the Mughals, in circa1857. Moreover, Farsi used to be taught in schools as a second language or as a classical language. Persian influence on the Muslim architectural structures throughout the subcontinent is abundantly ubiquitous. Hindi, Urdu and other south Asian languages are filled with numerous words from Farsi. Thus, a cultural juxtaposition exists however feeble it may appear.

However, SAARC, as of now, failed to deliver anything resembling progress, be it economic or cultural exchanges. There are still skirmishes and exchanges of gun fires between Indian BSF and Bangladeshi border forces, and across India-Pakistan border. As of now, a regional common economic market is still a fool's dream. Only people who are benefiting from SAARC are the ministers, bureaucrats and the retinue of hundreds of mini-diplomats of the member countries -- The money spent on a summit could be better utilized on some more pressing need of national importance. A big chunk of the population in South Asia live in dire poverty, average per capita income of this region is around $300; nevertheless, there has not been any dearth of funding these SAARC summits to the tune of thousands of dollars.

SAFTA became operational almost a year ago and two months ago the 14th SAARC Declaration was adopted in New Delhi, but the problems and roadblocks are still preventing a regional integration of trade and services. The 14th summit came out with this bold declaration that India is going to allow reduced-tariff trade flow across border, which is yet to see the light of day. Bangladeshi trade goods are still waiting in the stockpile for the green light. And, consequently, all efforts to move forward towards establishing a greater and result-oriented regional cooperation to bring prosperity to the region's hundreds of millions of suffering humanity are being aggravated. It seems waiting for the fruits of SAFTA or indeed SAARC is like "Waiting for Godot". Is it our "antiquated" bureaucracy, or is it that there exists a separate political (and economic) agenda of the member states (unbeknown to the other members) that is making these bottlenecks and frustrations?

M. Dubey in Economic and Political Weekly, April 7, 2007 writes this about SAFTA, "Economic integration in south Asia has remained a non-starter even after 22 years of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. The misplaced and exaggerated security concerns of India and Pakistan are a huge hurdle. The emphasis in these countries needs to shift from state security to human security". Indeed, it's a non-starter of a colossal proportion.

Apparently, SAARC exists only through the countless high-profile diplomatic summits and meetings. A countless number of papers are read, hours and hours of closed door discussions and debates are held, nevertheless, the reality is a zero-output in real term. Nevertheless, after every summit (over the last 22 years), the regional PMs, Presidents, and myriad of Ministers and diplomats have always come out with statements like, "Summit has been fruitful", "Summit has been a turning point", "Summit pledges to combat poverty" or some such similar political rhetoric. Indeed, the words are good for press conferences. And if one sifts through the myriad of papers, documents and agreements related to SAARC, one would find beautifully and meticulously crafted visions for regional development and prosperity. However, none of the member countries (in particular India and Pakistan) have put their money where their mouths are!

SAARC has become just another "exclusive club" for the political elites of the regions -- just an extension of the myriad of "elitist clubs" dotted around the countries in the region a legacy of the British Raj which our elites still try to emulate, at the expense of tax payer's hard earned money!

S I Zaman PhD is a freelance contributor.