Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature (FOSWAL)
The Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature (FOSWAL) is the only officially recognised literary body of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Headquartered at the Academy of Fine Arts and Literature in New Delhi, it has, for decades, built bridges of understanding across borders through the power of words.
About SAARC
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established in 1985 to promote peace, progress, and cooperation among its eight member states — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. While SAARC focuses largely on economic, political, and developmental cooperation, FOSWAL represents its cultural and literary soul, ensuring that dialogue extends beyond governments to the people themselves.
Origins & Vision
Founded in 1987 by Ajeet Cour, FOSWAL began with a bold vision: to create a platform where writers, poets, and intellectuals of South Asia could come together to share their stories, experiences, and struggles — bypassing political boundaries and fostering people-to-people diplomacy.
Its core belief is simple yet profound: literature can unite where politics divides.
Achievements & Contributions
Over the years, FOSWAL has:
Organised landmark conferences and literary festivals across South Asia, bringing together voices from all eight SAARC nations.
Published anthologies, translations, and cross-border literary works, making diverse traditions accessible to wider audiences.
Fostered dialogues on peace, gender equality, displacement, and human rights, reflecting the shared challenges of the region.
Provided a rare platform for marginalised and silenced voices, including women writers and poets from conflict zones.
Ongoing Work
Today, FOSWAL continues its mission by:
Hosting annual and thematic conferences on literature, history, and cultural diplomacy.
Running translation projects that make South Asian literatures available across languages.
Building archives of contemporary writing from the region.
Acting as a cultural bridge at a time when political and social divides remain sharp.
Why It Matters
FOSWAL is not just an institution — it is a movement of ideas. It has shown that cultural diplomacy can create real connections between people across borders. Writers, poets, and intellectuals, through FOSWAL, continue to shape a South Asian identity that values dialogue, diversity, and shared humanity.
For students, researchers, and readers, FOSWAL represents a treasure trove of modern South Asian thought. For the region, it represents hope, resilience, and unity.
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