India has once again underlined its commitment to regional cooperation while directly pointing to Pakistan as the reason behind the continuing impasse within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

The Ministry of External Affairs made this clear during its weekly press briefing, responding to queries on Bhutan’s proposal for the next SAARC Secretary-General.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India’s position on SAARC remains unchanged. He emphasised that the reason for the body’s stagnation is well known and that one specific country is responsible.

On the matter of Bhutan’s nomination, he said he would check the current administrative status of the candidacy but reiterated India’s fundamental stance on the regional grouping.

Bhutan has nominated Dasho Sonam Topgay to serve as the 16th Secretary-General of SAARC. This follows the upcoming conclusion of the tenure of the incumbent Secretary-General Golam Sarwar of Bangladesh, whose three-year term ends in late October. In line with SAARC’s alphabetical rotation system among member states, Bhutan holds the right to appoint the next head of the regional secretariat.

Reports indicate that if all seven remaining member nations approve Bhutan’s proposal, Topgay will officially assume the leadership role by late October. This nomination comes at a time when the organisation remains paralysed due to political differences, particularly between India and Pakistan.

India had earlier in July reiterated its support for strong regional cooperation, stressing that it has been working towards this goal for several decades. Jaiswal had then remarked that everyone in South Asia is aware of which country and which activities are stymying SAARC, stressing that cooperation requires goodwill.

The Maldives has also called for the revival of SAARC. President Mohamed Muizzu urged member states to resolve differences through dialogue and offered Maldives as a mediator to break the deadlock. 

His remarks were delivered during the Independence Day ceremony marking 61 years of Maldives’ independence, attended by 113 diplomats from 43 countries and international organisations.

He elaborated on his government’s foreign policy and urged the international community to resolve disputes through peaceful dialogue.

Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism has stalled any dialogue with India. Its acts of aggression against Afghanistan have further complicated regional stability. These actions have prevented SAARC from fulfilling its mandate of fostering cooperation and integration across South Asia.

Bangladesh has also voiced its support for reviving SAARC. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed listed key measures to strengthen the body, including stronger implementation capacity, greater financial strength, more effective specialised mechanisms, and a practical culture of follow-up.

She suggested convening a senior officials’ meeting and even a special session of the Council of Ministers to re-energise the grouping.

India’s remarks, combined with Bhutan’s nomination, Maldives’ mediation offer, and Bangladesh’s reform proposals, highlight renewed attention on the future of SAARC.

The grouping, if revived, could play a significant role in addressing shared challenges such as economic instability, security concerns, and development needs across South Asia.

However, the path forward remains contingent on Pakistan’s willingness to abandon destabilising activities and engage constructively.

ANI