Bangladesh and Pakistan Pursue Saarc Revival Amid India’s Staunch Reluctance
Bangladesh’s caretaker PM Muhammad Yunus met Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the revival of the dormant Saarc organization, established in 1985. India’s unwillingness to engage stems from its security concerns linked to Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism, which has led to its withdrawal since 2016. Despite the economic impetus driving Bangladesh and Pakistan to seek revitalization of Saarc, India remains disinterested due to unresolved tensions.
On September 25, Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s caretaker government, engaged in discussions with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc). This regional bloc has been inactive since 2016, primarily due to India’s withdrawal over concerns regarding terrorism supported by Pakistan. Despite Pakistan’s repeated calls for a Saarc revival, India has remained disinterested, largely due to ongoing tensions. The change in Bangladesh’s approach, particularly under the Yunus administration, signifies a renewed interest in revitalising Saarc, marking a deviation from the prior stance held under PM Sheikh Hasina. Saarc encompasses eight South Asian nations: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, and was established in December 1985 with its secretariat located in Kathmandu. India’s Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, has articulated India’s position, emphasizing that it cannot accommodate a scenario where “terrorism happens by night and trade happens by day.” This statement reflects India’s firm stance against Pakistan’s alleged sponsorship of terrorism, which it views as incompatible with regional cooperation. During their meeting, Yunus and Sharif reaffirmed their commitment to enhance bilateral relations and foster regional collaboration through Saarc. Experts, such as Derek J Grossman from the RAND Corporation, express skepticism regarding India’s willingness to participate under the current conditions, suggesting tensions are likely to persist. India’s withdrawal from the Saarc summit in 2016 stemmed from the Uri attack, where 19 Indian soldiers were killed, leading to broader regional ramifications as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka subsequently withdrew. This incident marked the catalyst for a prolonged impasse. The backdrop of the current economic crises in both Bangladesh and Pakistan—characterized by rising corruption and fiscal challenges—has prompted both leaders to pursue revitalization of Saarc. This interest in regional collaboration appears to be primarily motivated by the potential economic benefits, particularly in trade. Analysts note that both nations are eager to harness the advantages that collaboration could provide, especially with Pakistan expressing an interest in investing in Bangladesh’s textile and leather sectors. Nevertheless, India’s economic stature as one of the fastest-growing economies renders its participation crucial for Saarc’s overall viability. India is projected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030-31 and maintains active participation in various international forums, such as the G20 and Brics, minimizing its perceived need for Saarc. In summary, while Bangladesh and Pakistan continue to advocate for the revival of Saarc to address pressing economic challenges, India’s hesitation to engage due to persistent security concerns related to terrorism creates a barrier to this regional cooperative initiative. The dynamics at play underscore the complexities of regional geopolitics in South Asia.
Saarc, established in 1985, is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising eight South Asian nations intended to promote economic and regional integration. However, its effectiveness has been severely hampered since India withdrew from participation in 2016, primarily due to rising tensions with Pakistan over terrorism-related issues. The dialogue between Bangladesh and Pakistan regarding the revival of Saarc introduces new geopolitical dynamics, especially as Bangladesh’s leadership shifts towards a government keen to explore regional cooperation once more, despite India’s reluctance stemming from security concerns.
The ongoing interest of Bangladesh and Pakistan in reviving Saarc highlights the pressing economic needs that drive such discussions. However, India’s firm stance against perceived threats undermines the possibility of achieving collaborative progress within the framework of Saarc. Until there is a resolution to these security concerns, India’s detachment from the organization may continue to frustrate regional aspirations for collaboration.
Original Source: www.indiatoday.in
