South Asian Regional Cooperation: Challenges and Opportunities

South Asia, home to nearly two billion people, remains one of the least integrated regions in the world. Despite shared history and culture, intra-regional trade accounts for only about 5% of total trade in South Asia, compared to over 25% in Southeast Asia.

SAARC: Promise Unfulfilled

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), established in 1985, was envisioned as a platform for collective progress. While SAARC has achieved successes in areas like SAFTA and cooperation on health and disaster management, geopolitical tensions have paralyzed the institution.

Alternative Frameworks

In response to SAARC's stagnation, alternative regional frameworks have gained prominence. BIMSTEC has emerged as a more functional platform, linking South and Southeast Asia. Bangladesh has actively pursued bilateral and sub-regional initiatives.

"Regional cooperation in South Asia is not a luxury but a necessity — for trade, for climate resilience, for energy security."