Issue Brief on “SAARC institutional deadlock: India-Pakistan Tensions and Future of Regionalism in South...

Introduction

In spite of being one of the densely populated regions in the world, South Asia lags substantially in building regional cohesion among regional states. It accounts for only 5% of intra-regional trade, making it a minor player in the global economy.[1] Regionally, platforms like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) have been specifically aimed at enhancing cohesion among member states and addressing mutual challenges through confidence and trust-building measures. While it initiated considerable joint efforts in various sectors, the organization, however, faced stalled processes mainly due to the India-Pakistan rivalry. The cancellation of the 2016 summit after India's boycott became a major setback. The subsequent absence of any worthwhile initiative under the platform raises concerns about its sustainability and the future of regionalism in South Asia. In such circumstances, the underlying factors, outcomes, and possible opportunities for collaboration need to be explored.

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