hnsam,dnam,naXA

Economic Relationship among SAARC

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By: EconomyWatch Date: 30 June 2010

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The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation or SAARC was

created to promote economic integrity and cooperation among 7 South
Asian nations namely India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal,
Maldives, and Sri Lanka. The Association was formed in 1985 with the
aim to ensure social and economic development of the member
countries. However, over the years it has been seen that SAARC mainly
worked towards development of economic relationship among the
SAARC nations. Attempts are also on to further trade relations with the
member nations of ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations)
and the European Union.
In spite of lying in the vicinity of one another, trading activities were
restricted among the SAARC nations. Over the years, there has
significant improvement in the trade relations among the seven SAARC
members. The focus has been shifted to get access to the markets of the
other members. Methods have also been devised to attract foreign direct
investments to strengthen economic infrastructures of the SAARC
nations. All these initiatives point towards an improvement in the
economic relationship among the 7 South Asian countries.

Despite the sincere attempts of the Association, there are several factors
that stand in the way of economic integrity among the SAARC nations.
The clashes between India and the neighboring countries have prevented
the SAARC members to make the most of the economic benefits derived
from the Association. This has prompted the South Asian countries to go
for bilateral trading activities instead of getting involved in multilateral
trade agreements. However, the Association is expected to take more
proactive steps to improve the economic relationship among its
members. Besides devising policies for economic integration, SAARC is
supposed to function as a medium to facilitate discussions among the
South Asian nations. Seminars and conferences are going to be helpful
measures for promoting cross border trade and investment.

As an aftermath of globalization, Indian government has resorted to

open trade policy. The economic reforms of early 1990s have opened an
array of challenges for the Indian entrepreneurs. The growth rate of the
Indian economy was around 7% during the period from 1994-1997. The
inflow of foreign fund also recorded substantial increase.

All these resulted from the flexible economic policies adopted by the
Indian government. The economic prosperity of India prompted the
other SAARC members to seek resort to international trade as a platform
for economic growth. Both Sri Lanka and Nepal have shown their
interests to enhance intra regional trade. Bangladesh is also following
the same trend. With the increased intra regional trading activities, the
economic relationship among the SAARC nations is bound to be stronger
in future.
2ndd
SOUTH ASIA - ARTICLES Print Bookmark Email Facebook
#2270, 20 April 2007

The 14th SAARC Summit: An

Assessment
Priyashree Andley, Research Officer and Upasana Mahanta, Research Assistant, IPCS

Report of the Panel discussion held at the IPCS, 13 April 2007

Speakers:
Ambassador I P Khosla, Former Indian High Commissioner to
Bangladesh
Dr Amita Batra, Senior Fellow, Indian Council of Research in
International Economics

IP Khosla

S AARC is based on an idea about regional cooperation that

has many elements such as cultural unity, economic unity, and a single
administrative unit, etc. As opposed to the idea of cooperation, there is
the counter argument that the region is not culturally united at all. The
concept of administrative unity can be argued to be false and does not
reflect reality. The concept of single civilizational unity that we took from
the Europeans cuts both ways. Another argument says we must change
the world, be people oriented. There is a vision of a South Asian
Community where smooth flow of people, technology, culture, goods,
ideas etc takes place. But there would be no significant change in this
direction in the next ten years or so. We have been talking about
connectivity since 1985, but nothing has happened except words.

India's Policy

I ndia's policy in this regard is actually not very clear. Our policy
makers tell us that the aim of Indian foreign policy is to ensure that our
overall economic targets are achieved. The policy seems to suggest if
one tempts the neighbours with economic inducements, political gains
will follow. Presumably the idea is to offer economic inducements for
political purposes. Possibly it could be a circular thing - economic
inducement leading to political gains, which would create an atmosphere
of peace leading to further economic gains. In the context of the 14th
Summit, with neighbours (like Pakistan) insisting that politics has to
come first, one is hoping that they would gradually see the great
advantage coming to countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh through
economic interactions and would put politics in the back-banner.

Is SAARC a success?

J ust the fact that there have been summits and leaders are
meeting, provides opportunities for cooperation which otherwise do not
exist. It gives a chance for leaders and ministers to meet regularly,
discuss and exchange views and even talk about bilateral relations. It is
a positive element of SAARC. Civil Society has played a big role in
SAARC. Regional think tanks are in existence and there are exchanges
between artists, filmmakers, writers, singers, which is bound to have
some effect in creating an atmosphere of regional cooperation.

The main thing is connectivity, which is Prime Minister

Manmohan Singh's theme song since the 13th Summit. One needs to
talk about connectivity in South Asia, leading to connectivity in Asia, and
then with the world. However, in real life the possibility of achieving
connectivity is very dim. Again, since the SAARC Development Fund
was never used by anybody one cannot say whether the Food Bank is
going to be used or not. However, the idea of a South Asian University is
very positive and it will probably go ahead.

Amita Batra

T he presentation looks at two broad perspectives: Economic

Perspective and a Global Perspective. It looks at the combination of
South Asia with West Asia and sees whether they could come together
in a larger Free Trade Area. To get a region together there needs to be a
common perception of threat and cooperation. The presentation aims to
place South Asia in a global context and see what the 14th SAARC
summit tried to achieve.

There is a paradigm change towards regional economic

integration since 1990s. Traditionally Asian countries pursued trade
liberalization through multilateral trading systems for the purpose of
growth. This is due to the emergence of powerful blocs like the EU and
NAFTA. About 60 percent of the total world trade today is carried out on
a preferential basis; so those who are not part of any preferential bloc
are going to suffer. There is also the risk of isolation from other
groupings.

T here is potential for regional economic integration (REI) in

South Asia due to geographical, cultural, and historical proximity. There
is huge economic potential as far as the region is concerned if trade
barriers are removed. Trade complementaries is possible in areas such
as textile, cotton, cereals, apparels, cane sugar, plastic and chemical
goods hold intra-industry trade possibilities. There is also the possibility
of efficient relocation of industries like the one that happened between
India and Sri Lanka in case of tire industry.

I f we look at the region and compare it to the other regions of

the world in terms of Gross National Income (PPP), GDP growth rate
and population, we see intra-region trade in South Asia is extremely low.
Exports from South Asia have only doubled over the past two decades.
There are lessons to be learnt from other regional organizations like
NAFTA and Mercusor.

T here are certain misperceptions regarding India's

predominant position in South Asia. India has always been a willing
partner as far as bilateral or regional agreements are concerned. It is
time that one highlights the 'giver' position of India in regional trade.

In case of SAFTA, which has been operational since July 2006,

with the objective of maximizing regional potential for trade and
development, there is no timetable specification as to when the list of
sensitive items will ultimately disappear. The existing institutional
arrangement is very much weak. Most of the trade in South Asia is
taking place through informal routes, formalization of which is extremely
important. Harmonization of standards and procedures in trade as well
as services is required. There have also been no concrete measures
taken on the question of connectivity. Liberalization of service sector
was never a part of SAFTA, although there was a mention of it this time.
SAFTA agreement further neglects the trade and investment nexus.

SAARC has the potential to become a grouping of

considerable economic benefit. One of the biggest concerns in REI in
South Asia is that the smaller economies have a trade deficit vis-à-vis
India. There is a possibility that if free trade is allowed this would be
taken care of. It goes to the advantage of the small countries if trade
barriers are removed. Apart from trade the other benefits of REI could be
cross border water management, and a joint stand in WTO.

S tatistics show that ASEAN+3+3 are a far more beneficial

nexus than SAARC. It is not only beneficial for India but for the rest of
the South Asian countries, which may benefit by coming together with
India, thus setting the stage for an Asia-wide FTA.

Discussion

Observer Status in SAARC

P owerful countries like China, US and Japan are given

observer status in SAARC. One view is that the presence of observers
will modify India's voice in the regional organization, to prevent the
exercise of monopoly over South Asian dynamics. Japan is getting more
involved in South Asia. It has increased its contribution to the South Asia
fund and is actively involved in Sri Lanka. Expansion of SAARC with the
entry of Afghanistan in April 2007 has added discomfiture to Pakistan.
Observer status to China has added discomfiture to India. With Iran as
an observer, it would add discomfiture to the US. These developments
question the relevance of the regional organization.

Complexities of SAARC

SAARC has been an ongoing process that has not yielded

significant results. The 14th Summit has posed a fundamental dilemma
for India. There are five different layers operating simultaneously in
South Asia. These include, bilateral relations, regional groupings
characterized by BIMSTEC, SAARC member relations, the idea of an
extended neighborhood including Central Asia and Southeast Asia and
the continental level of cooperation. There is possibility that either all
levels mutually reinforce or cross cut each other. Structural weaknesses
of SAARC need to be addressed to ensure positive developments.
However, the cause for limited success of BIMSTEC is unclear. Earlier,
the orthodoxy in SAARC blamed India and Pakistan for failure of
regional cooperation under SAARC. Now, Indo-Pak talks are not
discussed by other members. The Indo-Pak Composite Dialogue
process has been ongoing for four years. However, it has had limited
impact on SAARC.

South Asian Identity

The South Asian scale of identity is significant. It is most

recognizable outside South Asia. South Asia is seen as a region with
one common identity. However, a common identity in South Asia is a
complex and debatable issue. South Asian identity is not problematic; it
is the idea to approach South Asia that is artificial. People give priority to
different kinds of identity. There is a need to accept each other's identity.
Moreover, the vision of priority to identities differs in most South Asian
countries.

O rigin of the term 'South Asia' needs to be discussed. It is a

political term placed within the geographic framework. The idea behind
the use of the term was to exclude India from the region. The boundaries
of South Asia are not clearly demarcated. Questions have been raised
on Burma and Tibet being included as part of South Asia. However,
definitions are very problematic and reduce coherence.

East Asia Summit

T he East Asia summit has been discussed but there is no

major substance in it. Countries are more interested in linking their
respective economies with China. Lately, China has shown interest in
establishing links with South Asia. However, India is uncertain on its
policy of economic inducements, political gains or interests in East Asia.
India will grow at eight percent and inflation will continue. However, this
would not be a structural impairment. India's economic sustainability is
questioned by China's growing economy. India does not have a vision
for taking South Asia to East Asia.

South Asian University

The idea of setting up a South Asian University has the

potential to take off. However, if India pushes the idea of the South
Asian University, it will be unacceptable to others. Hence, the University
should be set up in a smaller member country. There is another opinion
which pictures the University as a union of students from all over South
Asia. However, before establishing such a University, free interaction
between academia, researchers and students in the region should be
encouraged.

ASEAN and Economic Growth

A SEAN+3 do not have a very strong institutional mechanism.

Singapore is blamed for its bilateral programme. ASEAN has a trade
surplus with China, but India does not. However, with a growing
manufacturing and services sector, India need not fear a trade deficit. A
uniform opinion on the economic dominance of India in South Asia is
questionable. India may have the potential for becoming a leading
economy but her neighbours might not share the same view. Moreover,
investments and services sector opening up are a contentious political
issue in most South Asian countries.

SAARC and Connectivity

In ancient civilizations, economic or trade links were opened for

neighbouring civilizations. In the recent past, significant shift is seen in
India's policy on regional cooperation when it promised to make borders
irrelevant. The change in policy needs to be analyzed in the larger
context. Before partition of India in 1947, there was a natural direction
for trade. However this was disrupted after formation of Pakistan in 1947
and Bangladesh in 1972. Connectivity was weakened in the region.
SAARC is trying to restore it. However, trade includes the exchange of
goods and the flow of labour. It is doubtful if connectivity can increase
without labour mobility.

Indo-Pak Economic Relations

C oncern for economic growth is evident but the government

has played a limited role in addressing these concerns. Sir Creek
discussion between India and Pakistan has gained momentum only
because of the EEZ in 2009. Economic exchanges between neighbours
will continue but there will be no major peace dividends. Moreover, low
level of free trade between India and Pakistan is due to political mistrust.
Political failure in SAARC can be held responsible for its economic
failure.

SAARC Trade

Member countries have strengthened bilateral trade with each

other. This has hampered regional trade agreements such as SAFTA.
Also, it is not possible to always predict the success of a FTA for
member countries. For example, when tariffs were cut between India
and Sri Lanka, only copper trade increased between the two initially.
India has felt the need to provide economic support to Bhutan for larger
political concerns. However, this relationship is of a different nature and
has existed prior to SAARC. India has not behaved like a strategic
 benign leader in the region, and is unsure of its priorities. An 8-9 percent
growth rate has had limited impact on alleviation of poverty in India.
Defence expenditure has importance but geopolitical perspectives are
not always beneficial. If economy is given precedence it can improve
relations between states. Expansion of SAARC adds additional sources
of economic and commercial exchange.

SAARC and Counterterrorism

In the 14th SAARC summit there was no mention of terrorism or

adoption of a common approach to counter terrorism in the region.
SAARC should take up the issue of states promoting terrorism in the
region. If there is a joint mechanism to counter terrorism, between India
and Pakistan, then terrorism can be discussed on the regional table.
However, action on this remains limited. Also, a regional organization
cannot ignore global challenges like global warming, WMD proliferation
and energy security.

Concluding Remarks

SAARC meetings are important as they are an indication of

intention to cooperate. India's increased growth rate has attracted
countries to the region to share economic benefits. This process will
continue and the region will grow and prosper with India.

3rd
INDIA’S TRADE EXPERIENCE WITH SAARC AND THE
FUTURE OF SAFTA
Alok Kumar Pandey, Annapurna Dixit

ABSTRACT

ndia is also committed to ensure that the special and differential treatment provisions for developing countries under different
WTO agreements are translated into specific enforceable dispensations. Currently, India has adopted WTO norms in these sectors
i.e. Agriculture, Trade and Industry, Intellectual property and services. SAARC is moving towards a Free Trade Area and South Asia
Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) that is an initial step in the evolution of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation as a
regional trade block and an economic union. SAFTA was signed on January 6, 2004, during the Twelfth SAARC Summit in
Islamabad. But how favorably it will affect the intra-regional trade it is uncertain as economic trouble for India could be created
through the Free Trade Agreements. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to depict India’s foreign trade with SAARC
nations considering the structural changes in Indian Economy as well as WTO Arrangements in 1995 and also the future of the
SAFTA.

KEYWORDS
 Indian Economy,SAARC, SAFTA, International Trade

4rth

India ratifies double taxation avoidance pacts with

SAARC
ET Bureau Feb 5, 2011, 12.20am IST

Tags:
 SAARC|
 India|
 Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements
NEW DELHI: India has ratified the new Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements with SAARC nations
taking forward its efforts to track and unearth black money. The revised treaties will come into effect
from next fiscal, according to a government notification.

"The central government hereby directs that all the provisions of the said agreement shall be given
effect to in the Union of India with effect from 1st day of April, 2011," the official government Gazette
notification said. According to the notification, the new agreement will apply to persons who are
residents of one or more member states.

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The tax information exchange treaties amongst the South Asian Association For Regional
Cooperation (SAARC) nations was struck first at Dhaka in 2005. Members of SAARC bloc include
Bangladesh, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

However, the notification said SAARC limited multilateral agreement on avoidance of double taxation
and mutual administrative assistance in tax matters shall be applicable only in the member states
where an adequate direct tax structure is in place. "In case of a member state where such a structure
is not in place, this agreement shall become effective from the date on which such a member state
introduces a proper direct tax structure and notifies the SAARC secretariat to this effect," the gazette
notification said.

India is in the process of negotiating DTAA with 65 countries. This is to broaden the scope of article
concerning exchange of information, specifically regarding banking and taxpayers not covered earlier.

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee had recently unveiled a five pronged strategy to check and curb
black money in the country. He said DTAA and Exchange of Taxation Information Agreement are two
instruments under which information can be obtained and that the government has already amended
pacts with 23 countries to get information from various banks.
5th

Portal:SAARC
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

SAARC portal
edit

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic and political
organization of eight countries in Southern Asia. In terms of population, its sphere of influence is the largest of
any regional organization: almost 1.5 billion people, the combined population of its member states. In the late
1970s,Bangladesh President Ziaur Rahman proposed the creation of a trade bloc consisting of South
Asian countries. The Bangladeshi proposal was accepted by India, Pakistanand Sri Lanka during a meeting held
in Colombo in 1981. In August 1983, the leaders adopted the Declaration on South Asian Regional Cooperation
during a summit which was held in New Delhi. The seven South Asian countries, which also
included Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan, agreed on five areas of cooperation:

 Agriculture and Rural Development

 Telecommunications, Science, Technology and Meteorology
 Health and Population Activities
 Transport*
 Human Resource Development

Afghanistan was added to the regional grouping at the behest of India on November 13, 2005, With the addition
of Afghanistan, the total number of member states were raised to eight (8). In April 2006, the United States of
America and South Korea made formal requests to be granted observer status. The European Union has also
indicated interest in being given observer status, and made a formal request for the same to the SAARC Council
of Ministers meeting in July 2006. On August 2, 2006 the foreign ministers of the SAARC countries agreed in
principle to grant observer status to the US, South Korea and the European Union. On 4 March
2007, Iran requested observer status. (more)
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Selected Article
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The economy of India is the fourth-largest in the world as measured by purchasing power parity (PPP), with
a GDP of $3.3 trillion. When measured in USDexchange rates it is the tenth largest in the world, with a GDP of
$691.8 billion. However India's huge population results in a relatively low per capita income ($3,100 at PPP).
Services are the major source of economic growth in India today, though two-thirds of Indian workforce earn
their livelihood directly or indirectly through agriculture. In recent times, India has also capitalised on its large
number of highly-educated populace fluent in the English language to become a major exporter
ofsoftware services, financial services and software engineers. For most of India's independent history,
a socialist inspired approach was adhered to, with strict government control and regulation on private
sector participation, foreign trade andforeign direct investment. Since the early 1990s, India has gradually
opened up its markets through economic reforms by reducing government controls on foreign trade and
investment. The socio-economic problems India faces are the burgeoning population, growing inequality, lack
of infrastructure, growingunemployment and growing poverty. (more...)
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Selected Quotation
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“
An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become
error because nobody sees it. Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self
sustained. ”
Mahatma Gandhi
Selected Picture
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View from inside of King Faisal Mosque at night in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Photo credit: Farazilu
Archive | Nominate a picture...
Did you know
edit

 ...that the The Grand Friday Mosque at Islamic Centre, an architectural landmark in Malé,Maldives, is
named after Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu-Al-A'z'am?

 ...that Kashi (Benares) is the place where Lord Vishnu is supposed to have made an offering of an eye
to Lord Shiva?

Kashi is also name of the person going to become a Legendary person in future from Bijapur district,
 which is in Karnataka,INDIA.

 ...that since the first Urdu language typewriter was created in 1911, the Urdu keyboard layout has evolved
to accommodate the needs of the digital age?

 ...that notated Bengali writer Rajnarayan Basu was a tutor of Asia's firstNobel Laureate Rabindranath
Tagore?

 ...that Nepal receives US$50 million a year through the Gurkha soldiers who serve in
the Indian and British armies and are highly esteemed for their skill and bravery?
Selected Member Country
edit

[hide]

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

South Asian Free Trade Area

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Bhutan

India

Maldives

Nepal

Pakistan

Sri Lanka

Australia
China

European Union

Iran

Japan

Mauritius

Myanmar

South Korea

United States
South Africa
 Shortcut:

 WP:PSL

Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri

Lanka (Sinhalese: , Tamil: இலங் கை; known

as Ceylon before 1972) is an island nation in South Asia, located

about 31 kilometers (18½ mi) off the southern coast of India.
Originally known as Heladiva, it is home to around twenty million
people.

Sri Lanka is a strategic naval link between West Asia and South East Asia and has been a centre
of Buddhist religion and culture from ancient times. Today, Sri Lanka is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic
nation, with a fifth of the population following faiths other than Buddhism -
notably Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. The Sinhalese community forms the majority of the population
(around 80%), with Tamils, who are mostly concentrated in the north and east of the island, forming the
largest ethnic minority. Other communities include the Muslim Moors and Malays as well as Burghers.

Famous for the production and export of tea, coffee, rubber and coconuts, Sri Lanka boasts a progressive and
modern industrial economy. The natural beauty of Sri Lanka's tropical forests, beaches and landscape, as well as
its rich cultural heritage make it a world famous tourist destination.

After over two thousand years of rule by local kingdoms, parts of Sri Lanka were colonized by Portugal and
the Netherlands beginning in the 16th century, before the control of the entire country was ceded to the British
Empire in 1815. During World War II Sri Lanka served as an important base for Allied forces in the fight
against theJapanese Empire. A nationalist political movement arose in the country in the early 20th century,
with the aim of obtaining political independence, which was eventually granted by the British after peaceful
negotiations in 1948. Since then Sri Lanka has struggled in maintaining a liberal democracy and
stunted economic progress due to the ongoing conflict between the Sri Lankan government and a separatist
militant group known as the Tamil Tigers in the northeastern parts of the country.
More about Sri Lanka ...

At a glance
edit

Member Country Capital

Afghanistan Kabul
Bangladesh Dhaka
Bhutan Thimpu
Republic of India New Delhi
Maldives Malé
 Nepal Kathmandu
Pakistan Islamabad
Sri Lanka Colombo
Selected Map
edit

This 1907 map of Eastern Bengal clearly shows the spread of Bengali culture towards the east, encompassing
modern Bangladesh, Assam,Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Today's West Bengallies to
the west of this region, forming the eastern bottleneck of India, stretching from the Himalayas in the north to
the Bay of Bengal in the south. The state has a total area of 88,752 km². The Darjeeling Himalayan hill
region in the northern extreme of the state belongs to the eastern Himalaya. This region
contains Sandakfu (3,636 m) — the highest peak of the state. The narrow Terai region separates this region
from the plains, which in turn transitions into the Ganges delta towards the south. The Rarh regionintervenes
between the Ganges delta in the east and the western plateau and high lands. A small coastal region is on the
extreme south, while theSundarbans mangrove forests form a remarkable geographical landmark at
the Ganges delta.

Map credit: Astrokey44

Archive | Nominate a map...

Selected Biography
edit
Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit; Pali: Siddhāttha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from ancient India and the
founder of Buddhism. He is universally recognized by Buddhists as the Supreme Buddha (Sammāsambuddha)
of our age. The time of his birth and death are uncertain: a majority of 20th-century historians date his lifetime
fromcirca 563 BCE to 483 BCE, but some more recent scholars have suggested dates around 410 or 400 BCE
for his death. This alternative chronology, however, has not yet been accepted by other historians.

Gautama, also known as Shakyamuni (“sage of the Shakyas”, in Pali"śakamuṇi"), is the key figure in Buddhism,
and accounts of his life, discourses, and monastic rules were summarized after his death and memorized by
thesangha. Passed down by oral tradition, the Tripitaka, the collection of discourses attributed to Gautama, was

committed to writing about 400 years later.

Siddhartha was born in Lumbini, Nepal. His father was King Suddhodana, the chief of the Shakya nation, one of
several ancient tribes in the growing state ofKosala; Gautama was the family name. His mother, Queen Maha
Maya(Māyādevī) and Suddhodana's wife, was a Koliyan princess. (more...)
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Wikipedia in South Asian Languages
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অসমিয়া (Assamese) • भोजपु री (Bhojpuri) • ব়াাংল়া (Bengali) • ইি়ার ঠ়ার/মবষ্ণুমিয়া িমিপুরী(Bishnupriya Manipuri)

• ް‫( ަމ ަހލ‬Dhivehi) • ગુજરાતી (Gujarati) • हिन्दी (Hindi) • ಕನ್ನ ಡ(Kannada) • कॉशुर (Kashmiri)

• മലയാളം (Malayalam) • मराठी (Marathi) • नेपाली(Nepali) • ଓଡ଼ିଆ (Oriya) • ‫( پښتو‬Pashto) • ‫( فارسی‬Persian)

• ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi) • संस्कृत(Sanskrit) •Santali (Santali) • हसनहि (Sindhi) • தமிழ் (Tamil) • తెలుగు (Telugu)

• ‫(اردو‬Urdu)

Selected Destination
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 Malé (Dhivehi: ް‫) ާމލ‬, (pronounced: "Maa-lay") population 81,647
(2004), is the capital of the Republic of Maldives located at the
southern edge of North Male' Atoll Kaafu Atoll. Traditionally it was
the King's Island from where the ancient Maldive Royal dynasties
ruled and where the palace was located. Formerly it was a walled city
surrounded by fortifications and gates (doroshi). The Royal Palace
(Gan'duvaru) was destroyed along with the picturesque forts (kotte)
and bastions (buruzu), when the city was remodelled under Ibrahim
Nasir's rule.

Although Malé is geographically located in Male' Atoll, Kaafu Atoll, administratively it is not considered part of
it. A commercial harbour is located in the Island. It is the heart of all commercial activities in the country. Many
government buildings and agencies are located on the waterfront. Malé International Airport is on
adjacent Hulhule Island which includes a seaplane base for internal transportation. Several land reclamation
projects have expanded the harbour. Malé is located at 4°10' North, 73°30' East (4.1667, 73.5).

Malé was struck by the tsunami that swept across the western coast of Sumatra on December 26, 2004. It was
affected by the Indian Ocean earthquake which followed with the waves flooding two-thirds of the city. The
earthquake and subsequent tsunamis reportedly killed over 220,000 people around the rim of the Indian Ocean.
(more)
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Related portals
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Afghanistan — Bangladesh — Bhutan — India — Maldives — Nepal — Pakistan — Sri Lanka
Australia — China (PRC) — European Union — Iran — Japan — Mauritius — South Korea — United
States — South Africa

6th