SAARC & BRICS : A Paradigm Shift in Indias International Relations

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) with head quarter in
Kathmandu (Nepal) is an association of eight countries in the South Asia region. The
mandate is to work as group in the region for wide range of issues from agriculture,
education, technology to security and so on concerning all the member nations i.e,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
The idea was conceived in 1980 and the first summit was held in 1985 in Dhaka
(Bangladesh). Since then, the SAARC has been continuing its journey toward
realizing its objective of working as an institutional mechanism of regional and
political cooperation with emphasis on economic issues concerning the populace of
this region.
A new era is set to begin with Mr Narendra Modi inviting all SAARC leaders to his
searing-in ceremony as the Prime Minister of worlds largest democracy. India, being
the largest nation among all members both geographically and population wise, does
have a larger responsibility in taking the region forward together on the development
path. All member nations have also shown the growing warmth in the relation by
attending the event which really made it a grand spectacle for audiences: local as
well as foreign.
There is a lot more to be achieved in terms of bringing prosperity in the region which
must be the single point focus of all the members. The contentious issues can be put
on the backburner for a better time in future and the present must be utilized in
ensuring the resources of member nations be used in achieving mutual prosperity. A
sound neighbourhood would make sure external conflicts do not take away the
mutual respect and urge for happiness in the area which is otherwise rich in
resources: natural and human. It can become a hallmark for Modi era for the SAARC
and the people inhabiting the region. A self-reliant region with common approach to
world realpolitik would usher into a golden time for South Asia.
BRICS, however, provides a larger canvass for India to manoeuvre in the
geopolitical arrangement along with NATO, ASEAN, OPEC, EU etc. BRICS is an
acronym for five member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It
started the journey from the first summit held in 2009 in Russia. Argentina is slated
to be the sixth member in July 2014 summit to be held in Brazil. The association is
mainly an economic aggregation and it also has to aim for a greater political and
military role in the world affairs.

It is pertinent to note that Honble PM of India Mr Narendra Modis first visit outside of
SAARC countries is to the July 2014 summit of BRICS nations in Brazil. There are
tremendous opportunities available for trade and economic engagement among the
member nations. It is all the more relevant considering the present slowdown in the
global economy. Cooperation may also touch upon areas such as agriculture,
education, security (intelligence) et al.
In my personal opinion, this association of five major emerging economies must be
strengthened further by expanding with the inclusion of more countries like
Argentina, Mexico, Nigeria, Turkey and Indonesia. Another important step could be
to make Japan, Germany and Canada as special invitees. This would give the much
needed thrust to the voice of BRICS.
As a beginner in the area of International relations, i have immense hope and
expectation from both SAARC and BRICS. With the resounding mandate entrusted
to Modi and the profound goodwill he enjoys of the people of India, we can be quite
hopeful to utilize such forums to the benefit of people of each of the member nations,
in general and Indians, in particular.
With the increasing irrelevance of Non-Aligned movement (NAM), another chapter
on the actual achievements for SAARC and BRICS shall be written in due course.