SAARC, BRICS

SAARC and BRICS are two international organizations that have different objectives and membership.

SAARC stands for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, which was established in 1985 with the goal of promoting economic, cultural, and social cooperation among the countries of South Asia. Its members include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The organization focuses on areas such as trade, investment, poverty alleviation, energy, and environmental cooperation. SAARC has a Secretariat based in Kathmandu, Nepal, and its summits are held biennially.

BRICS, on the other hand, stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which are emerging market economies that established the organization in 2006 to promote cooperation and consultation on issues of mutual interest. Its members are major players in the global economy, and together they represent more than 40% of the world’s population. BRICS has a broad agenda, including cooperation on economic, financial, and political issues, as well as cultural and social matters. It also includes the New Development Bank (NDB), which was established in 2014 to provide funding for infrastructure projects in BRICS and other developing countries.

While both organizations focus on regional cooperation, SAARC is specific to South Asia, while BRICS has a more global focus. SAARC is focused on promoting cooperation among the countries of South Asia, while BRICS is focused on promoting cooperation among emerging economies in different regions of the world. Additionally, SAARC has struggled with political tensions and regional conflicts among its member countries, while BRICS has been seen as a platform for these emerging market economies to work together on common issues.