7 March 2011

'Same but Different?': Comparing the ASEAN and SAARC Frameworks

This paper examines the factors that account for this difference between ASEAN and SAARC in managing conflict. When the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was founded in 1967, its founding members were also concerned with protecting their sovereignty and political and economic development. Nevertheless, over time, ASEAN developed informal diplomatic mechanisms to manage their bilateral tensions. ASEAN states appear to have successfully avoided the outbreak of armed conflict. Similarly, when the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was founded in 1985 its members had long running disputes with each other. However, unlike ASEAN, SAARC’s record at managing regional conflicts has not been as successful.

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