The leaders of South Asia must recognize that the true potential for real and meaningful progress lies not in abandoning SAARC but in revitalizing it. Any consideration for establishing a new regional bloc to offset SAARC, risks further fragmenting South Asia rather than uniting it. SAARC’s stagnation stems from bilateral disputes and not structural flaws; replacing it with a bloc perceived as aligning with specific geopolitical interests could deepen divisions rather than bridge them.

SAARC is not merely a diplomatic forum; it is a homegrown initiative rooted in shared geography, history, and cultural ties that bind South Asia together.

SAARC frameworks such as the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), the SAARC Development Fund (SDF), and the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, are already in place but underutilized. Any new bloc would lack these established mechanisms, requiring years to replicate what SAARC has already built. For example, SAFTA potential to boost intra-regional trade beyond its current 5 percent remains untapped due to political barriers, not institutional inadequacies.

The call to revive SAARC is not nostalgic but pragmatic. The region 2 billion people 50 percent of whom live in poverty need SAARC frameworks to prioritise development over politics. Instead of sidelining SAARC, South Asian leaders must separate bilateral disputes from regional agendas, as ASEAN has done; fully operationalize SAFTA, expand visa exemptions, and launch joint infrastructure projects; scale up student exchanges, cultural programs, and trade delegations to build trust.

SAARC’s foundations are solid; its tools are ready. What missing is the political courage to prioritize regional prosperity over narrow rivalries.

Had SAARC remained active after its 18th Summit in 2014, it would have convened its 23rd Summit by 2024 and been preparing for a 24th,........

© Business Recorder