Reviving SAARC for Regional Cooperation in South Asia

South Asia is home to nearly one-fourth of the world’s population and possesses enormous economic, cultural and human potential. Yet, despite its shared history, geographical proximity and civilizational ties, it remains one of the least integrated regions in the world. Political mistrust, weak economic cooperation and limited institutional engagement have prevented the region from realizing its collective strengths. While organizations such as the European Union (EU), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the African Union have expanded through greater cooperation, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has remained largely inactive. Reviving SAARC is therefore not merely a diplomatic aspiration but an economic, strategic and humanitarian necessity.

Over the past decades, Bangladesh has earned international recognition for its achievements in economic growth, poverty reduction, disaster management, women’s empowerment, public health and digital transformation. Dhaka can build on these successes by advocating the resumption of regular SAARC summits, strengthening ministerial dialogue and expanding technical cooperation. 

The idea of a regional organization for South Asia was first proposed by Bangladesh’s late President Ziaur Rahman in the late 1970s. At a time of deep political divisions, he envisioned a platform that would promote dialogue, economic collaboration and collective development without compromising national sovereignty. His diplomatic efforts eventually led to the establishment of SAARC in Dhaka on December 8, 1985, with Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka as founding members. Afghanistan joined the organization in 2007.

SAARC was created to promote economic growth, reduce poverty, expand regional trade and strengthen cooperation in education, healthcare, science, agriculture and culture. Unfortunately, that promise has remained largely unfulfilled. Political disputes, particularly the long-standing rivalry between India and Pakistan, have repeatedly stalled the organization's progress. Since the cancellation of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in 2016, institutional activities have slowed significantly, and the organization has gradually lost its influence.

The costs of this stagnation are substantial. Intra-regional trade in South Asia remains among the lowest in the world despite the close proximity of member states. Stronger regional cooperation could reduce trade costs, strengthen supply chains, improve food and energy security, and create new opportunities for businesses. At a time of growing global economic uncertainty, regional integration has become more important than ever.

Climate change provides another compelling reason to revive SAARC. South Asia is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions, facing rising sea levels, devastating cyclones, floods, glacial melting, droughts and extreme heat. These challenges transcend national borders and cannot be addressed by individual countries acting alone. A revitalized SAARC could facilitate joint disaster preparedness, coordinated early warning systems, scientific collaboration, climate financing and shared adaptation strategies that would benefit every member state.

The region also has one of the world’s youngest populations. Millions of young people aspire to quality education, innovation and decent employment. SAARC can contribute by promoting student exchanges, collaborative research, university partnerships, digital learning and innovation networks. Such people-to-people connections would gradually strengthen trust and foster a stronger sense of regional identity.

As the country that first proposed SAARC, Bangladesh enjoys historical legitimacy and diplomatic credibility. Over the past decades, Bangladesh has earned international recognition for its achievements in economic growth, poverty reduction, disaster management, women’s empowerment, public health and digital transformation. Dhaka can build on these successes by advocating the resumption of regular SAARC summits, strengthening ministerial dialogue and expanding technical cooperation.

SAARC must also adapt to the demands of the twenty-first century. Digital trade, cross-border digital payments, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and innovation ecosystems should become central to its future agenda. While organizations such as BIMSTEC have contributed to subregional cooperation, they should complement rather than replace SAARC, which remains the only platform that brings together all South Asian countries.

The future of SAARC depends on political will and visionary leadership. Reviving the organization will not eliminate every political disagreement, but it can provide an institutional framework for managing differences while advancing common interests. As the original architect of the SAARC idea, Bangladesh has both an opportunity and a responsibility to champion its revival. In an increasingly interconnected world, South Asia cannot afford prolonged regional paralysis. A stronger and more dynamic SAARC would honor the vision of its founders while unlocking the region's immense economic and human potential for generations to come.