ABSTRACT
The concept of security has evolved through several stages since the 1960s. Before that, it meant only the safeguarding and protection of the state or a group of states against military threats. Since the 1960s, it has come to be both widened by the inclusion of non-military sectors and deepened by the inclusion of individuals and groups. A decade later it came to include the three freedoms: from want, from fear and, later, the freedom to live a life of dignity. In South Asia, this concept has been promoted since the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation was launched in 1985. There are, however, some differences between internationally adopted norms and those which may be acceptable in our region. The essence of what acceptable is to ensure a truly cooperative context, where all members are able to agree.
