Ganderbal : The Department of Politics and Governance at the Central University of Kashmir hosted the second edition of the Mock SAARC Summit (MSS) 2026, building on the inaugural event held in July 2025.
The academic initiative is part of the course “Understanding South Asia,” with this year’s theme focusing on “Peace and Sustainability.” Students from the 2nd and 4th semesters participated in various roles, including representatives of SAARC nations, ambassadors, and support teams, while also incorporating mock observers from the African Union, the European Union, and China. Dr. Khalid Wasim, the convenor and Senior Assistant Professor, emphasized the significance of such activities in fostering students’ talents and leadership skills. Dr. Yaqoob ul Hassan, Assistant Professor, praised the event as an effective pedagogical tool and advocated for increased resources to support similar initiatives, noting the students’ serious engagement in their roles. Dr. Katija Khadir, also an Assistant Professor, highlighted the students’ comprehensive representation of cultural aspects unique to each member country. Furthermore, Dr. Insha Mir, Senior Assistant Professor in the Department of Management Studies, remarked on the students’ impressive performance, as they researched and addressed the challenges faced by SAARC nations. The summit concluded with student representatives adopting a joint declaration that emphasized the importance of cooperation among SAARC nations in areas such as peace, environmental protection, disaster preparedness, youth employment, and fostering people-to-people exchanges.
