Diplomatic Earthquake: China & Pakistan Plan New South Asian Bloc to Eclipse SAARC
A seismic shift is underway in South Asian geopolitics as Pakistan and China push forward with plans to establish a new regional organization, effectively seeking to replace the long-dormant South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). This audacious diplomatic maneuver, if successful, could profoundly reshape trade, connectivity, and power dynamics across the subcontinent.
For nearly a decade, SAARC has been rendered largely ineffective, crippled by persistent hostilities primarily between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan. With its last summit in Kathmandu in 2014, and high-level meetings effectively ceasing after India boycotted the 2016 summit following the Uri terror attack, the regional body has been a ghost of its former self.
Now, Islamabad and Beijing are stepping into this vacuum, convinced that a fresh, active platform is desperately needed for regional integration and enhanced connectivity. Reports from Pakistan's Express Tribune and Indian media indicate that discussions are "advanced," aiming to foster greater trade, improve vital infrastructure, and bolster security cooperation. This aligns seamlessly with China's expansive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global infrastructure development strategy already deep-seated in many South Asian nations. China is reportedly keen to form a multi-sectoral working group to formalize this ambitious new bloc, covering everything from logistics to counter-terrorism.
Bangladesh's Role and India's Dilemma:
A crucial moment in these unfolding developments was a trilateral meeting held in Kunming, China, on June 19, involving senior diplomats from Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh. While Bangladesh's foreign affairs adviser has publicly downplayed the meeting's political nature, its inclusion has sent ripples across the region, hinting at potential broader acceptance for this new grouping.
The proposed organization is envisioned to invite other SAARC members, including Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Afghanistan. Significantly, reports suggest that even India would be extended an invitation. However, diplomatic sources anticipate a chilly reception from New Delhi. Given its "divergent interests" and long-standing suspicions of Beijing and Islamabad's collaborative efforts, India is widely expected to decline, viewing the initiative as a strategic attempt to counterbalance its traditional influence in South Asia and to deepen China's footprint.
The End of an Era for SAARC?
Established in 1985 with grand ambitions of fostering cooperation, SAARC has consistently failed to rise above the political rivalries among its members. Its decade-long paralysis has created a significant void, a void that Pakistan and China are now determined to fill.
The coming months will be pivotal. The success of this new bloc hinges on the participation of key regional players. Should it materialize, this China-Pakistan-led initiative could fundamentally redefine the geopolitical and economic landscape of South Asia, ushering in a new era of regional cooperation – or competition – in the years to come.
