♤ Small countries Apprehensive on Trade: The smaller countries on the other hand were not

interested in putting trade & commerce on the agenda of SAARC as they were apprehensive that such a move will flood their market with Indian goods given the relatively larger size of Indian economy.

♤ Non-Controversial issues only: The SAARC agenda has focus on nine non-controversial areas of cooperation known as- “SAARC integrated programme of action” or “Regional Program of action”. The nine areas were- Agriculture & Rural development, Transport & Communication, Science & Technology, Culture, Health, Population control, Sports and Arts.