In today’s world, countries often work in groups, not only to secure favourable terms of trade but also to ensure the utilisation of their collective material and human resources for mutual benefit.
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Geographical nearness makes it more convenient for certain countries to work together. Cooperation among nations situated within a region promotes peace within the region. It also enables countries to draw on each other’s strengths to overcome many problems common to the region.
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Regional cooperation holds great promise for southern Asia. Southern Asia is rich in resources, but many countries in the region face problems like social backwardness, overpopulation, poverty and illiteracy.
This hampers the overall economic development of the region. Regional cooperation can enable many southern Asian nations to progress and contribute more effectively to the development of the region.
The Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) are organisations that have been set up to promote regional cooperation in southern Asia.