India Says Pakistan Blocking SAARC Revival

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

Comments

Continue Reading

India Blames Pakistan For Stalling SAARC, Reaffirms Commitment To Regional Cooperation

India has strongly reiterated its position on regional cooperation, indirectly pointing at Pakistan as the country responsible for obstructing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). 

The Ministry of External Affairs emphasised that goodwill is essential for cooperation, while highlighting India’s decades-long commitment to strengthening regional ties.

During a regular media briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India favours strong regional cooperation and has consistently worked towards it.

He remarked that everyone in South Asia is aware of which country and which activities are stymieing SAARC. He underlined that cooperation requires goodwill, a clear reference to Pakistan’s role in blocking progress.

The remarks came in response to queries regarding Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s recent appeal to revive SAARC. Muizzu had urged member states to resolve differences through dialogue and offered Maldives as a mediator to break the deadlock.

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

India’s statement reflects its long-standing frustration with Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism, which has stalled dialogue between the two countries. Pakistan’s actions have also included aggression against Afghanistan, further complicating regional stability.

These activities have paralysed SAARC, preventing it from fulfilling its mandate of fostering cooperation and integration across South Asia.

The SAARC grouping, comprising Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, was established to promote economic cooperation and regional development. However, the organisation has remained largely inactive in recent years due to political tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan.

Bangladesh has also voiced support for reviving SAARC. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed recently outlined measures to strengthen the organisation, including stronger implementation capacity, greater financial strength, more effective specialised mechanisms, and a practical culture of follow-up. Obaed suggested convening a senior officials’ meeting and even a special session of the Council of Ministers to re-energise the grouping.

India’s position underscores that while it remains committed to regional cooperation, progress cannot be achieved without goodwill and constructive engagement. The statement highlights that the responsibility for the current deadlock lies with Pakistan’s actions, which have undermined trust and stability in the region.

In addition to SAARC-related queries, Jaiswal addressed questions on India-China border trade. He confirmed that in August 2025, both sides had agreed to resume border trade through three designated trading points—Lipulekh Pass, Shipki La Pass and Nathu La Pass—and that steps are being taken forward accordingly. This reflects ongoing efforts to stabilise and expand economic engagement despite broader geopolitical challenges.

Jaiswal also noted that an invitation has been extended to the Prime Minister of Nepal to visit India, signalling India’s intent to strengthen bilateral ties with its neighbours and reinforce regional diplomacy.

India’s remarks, combined with Maldives’ and Bangladesh’s recent calls, place renewed focus 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

Comments

Continue Reading

Maldives President Calls For SAARC Revival, Offers Mediation For Regional Peace

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has urged the revival of SAARC, offering Maldives as a mediator to break the deadlock and calling for dialogue among member states to ensure regional peace and cooperation. His Independence Day address also highlighted Maldives’ foreign policy priorities and echoed Bangladesh’s recent push for stronger regional mechanisms.

President Mohamed Muizzu delivered his remarks during the 61st Independence Day ceremony in Male on Sunday. He emphasised that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) must be revived, urging member states to resolve differences through dialogue. He noted that the Maldives stands ready to serve as a mediator to overcome the current impasse.

The President’s comments were made in front of 113 diplomats representing 43 countries and international organisations. He elaborated on the Maldives’ foreign policy, stressing that disputes should be resolved peacefully and that dialogue remains the most effective tool for stability. He reiterated that regional peace and cooperation are essential for South Asia’s future.

Muizzu referred to the prolonged deadlock within SAARC, which has been largely paralysed due to tensions between India and Pakistan. He called on member states to return to the negotiating table, underlining that the Maldives is prepared to play a constructive role in facilitating discussions. He described SAARC as a vital regional organisation that must not remain dormant.

Earlier in July, Bangladesh also voiced strong support for reviving SAARC. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed outlined measures to strengthen the organisation, including greater financial strength, stronger implementation capacity, more effective specialised mechanisms, and a culture of follow-up. Obaed suggested convening a senior officials’ meeting and even a special session of the Council of Ministers to re-energise the grouping.

The SAARC organisation, comprising Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, was established in 1985 to promote economic cooperation, regional integration, and development. However, it has been inactive for nearly a decade. The last summit was held in Kathmandu in 2014, while the 2016 summit scheduled in Islamabad was cancelled due to cross-border terrorism concerns and lack of consensus among member states.

Muizzu’s remarks also reflected the Maldives’ broader foreign policy stance. He stressed that the country’s independence must be safeguarded through active diplomacy and peaceful engagement. He highlighted that the Maldives’ foreign policy is rooted in dialogue and cooperation, aligning with the aspirations of its people and the wider region.

Observers noted that Muizzu’s call comes at a time when South Asia faces multiple challenges, including economic instability, security concerns, and strained bilateral ties. His offer to mediate between member states, particularly India and Pakistan, signals Maldives’ intent to play a more proactive role in regional diplomacy.

Bangladesh’s parallel push for revival adds momentum to the idea of reactivating SAARC. With both Maldives and Bangladesh advocating for renewed cooperation, there is growing pressure on other member states to reconsider their positions and explore ways to overcome longstanding obstacles.

The revival of SAARC would be significant for South Asia, a region home to nearly 1.9 billion people and accounting for about 24 percent of the world’s population. The grouping’s combined GDP is estimated at around $5 trillion, underscoring its potential for economic integration and collective growth if political differences can be bridged.

ANI

Comments

Continue Reading

Pakistan Challenges India's Criticism of Kabul Airstrike Amid Heightened Regional Tensions

Pakistan has sharply rebutted India's condemnation of its recent airstrike in Kabul, accusing New Delhi of hypocrisy in its remarks on regional security matters.

The exchange erupted after India's Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday labelled Pakistan's Monday airstrike on a drug treatment centre in Kabul as a "barbaric" assault that killed over 400 people.

India described the incident as a blatant violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty, framing it as a massacre disguised as a counter-terrorism operation and a direct threat to peace in South Asia.

In response, Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson, Tahir Andrabi, dismissed India's statement as "baseless, misleading, and unwarranted" during its ongoing campaign against terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan.

Andrabi went further, asserting that India's criticism exposed New Delhi's "blatant hypocrisy and duplicity," urging it to cease support for terrorist groups allegedly operating from Afghan soil.

This verbal skirmish underscores the persistent friction between the nuclear-armed neighbours, whose relations have long been strained by mutual accusations of sponsoring militancy.

The Kabul strike itself has drawn widespread international scrutiny, with reports confirming heavy casualties at what was described by witnesses as a civilian rehabilitation facility for drug addicts.

Afghan authorities have yet to issue a full official tally, but local media and eyewitness accounts suggest the death toll exceeds 400, including women and children seeking treatment.

Pakistan maintains the target housed militants linked to anti-Pakistan groups, such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), justifying the action as a necessary pre-emptive measure.

India's intervention reflects its growing concerns over instability in Afghanistan, where it has invested billions in infrastructure and humanitarian aid since the Taliban takeover in 2021.

New Delhi fears that unchecked militancy could spill over into Kashmir and other border regions, exacerbating the longstanding Kashmir dispute that has sparked multiple wars between India and Pakistan.

Pakistan, in turn, has repeatedly accused India of backing the Baloch insurgency and TTP through proxies in Afghanistan, claims India vehemently denies.

The timing of the spat coincides with broader geopolitical shifts, including China's deepening ties with both nations via the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Recent diplomatic engagements, such as stalled backchannel talks on Kashmir, have yielded little progress, leaving military hotlines as the primary buffer against escalation.

India's strong wording—"unequivocally condemned" and "barbaric"—signals a hardening stance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, which prioritises a robust response to perceived threats.

Pakistan's retort, delivered promptly from Islamabad, aims to deflect blame and rally domestic support amid its own internal challenges, including economic woes and political instability.

International observers, including the United Nations, have called for an independent probe into the Kabul incident to ascertain facts and prevent further regional destabilisation.

The European Union and United States have urged restraint from all parties, emphasising dialogue over rhetoric in the volatile Afghan theatre.

This episode revives memories of past flare-ups, such as the 2019 Balakot airstrike by India in response to a Kashmir attack, which nearly led to open conflict. Analysts note that both sides' narratives serve domestic audiences: India bolstering its image as a responsible regional power, Pakistan portraying itself as a frontline state against terrorism.

However, the human cost in Kabul demands urgent attention, with aid agencies reporting overwhelmed hospitals and calls for humanitarian corridors.

Afghanistan's fragile Taliban administration faces mounting pressure to address the strike, which could strain its already tense relations with Islamabad.

For India-Pakistan ties, this row diminishes prospects for confidence-building measures, such as trade resumption or people-to-people contacts suspended since 2019.

Military analysts monitor cross-border troop movements closely, warning that miscalculations could spiral amid heightened alert levels.

In the wider Indo-Pacific context, the US-India strategic partnership contrasts with Pakistan's reliance on China, complicating multilateral efforts like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.

Regional forums such as SAARC remain paralysed, with India-Pakistan animosity as the chief obstacle.

As the dust settles on Kabul, the international community watches warily, hoping cooler heads prevail to avert a broader conflagration.

Both nations' foreign ministries have signalled no immediate further statements, but simmering distrust persists.

PTI

Comments

Continue Reading

India's Leadership Crucial For Indian Ocean And South Asian Stability : Sajith Premadasa Sri Lanka's Leader of Opposition

Sajith Premadasa, Sri Lanka's Leader of the Opposition and head of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has underscored the pivotal role of India in safeguarding stability across the Indian Ocean and South Asia.

In an exclusive interview conducted in Colombo on 2 January 2026, he described India's leadership as indispensable for regional and global security. Premadasa emphasised that the national interests of India and Sri Lanka align closely, fostering mutual respect and constructive cooperation between the two neighbours.

Premadasa acknowledged India as a global superpower, urging both regional and international recognition of this status. He voiced strong support for India's permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council, arguing that it would better reflect contemporary global power dynamics. This endorsement highlights his vision for a multipolar world order where India's influence is formally institutionalised.

The Sri Lankan leader praised the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, particularly India's support for Sri Lanka amid its economic crisis. He noted that bilateral ties have yielded tangible benefits, addressing the economic, social, health, and developmental needs of ordinary Sri Lankans. Premadasa affirmed that the India-Sri Lanka relationship is thriving and continues to deliver value to his nation.

India's regional leadership, Premadasa asserted, is crucial not only for the Indian Ocean's security but also for broader global stability. This comes at a time when maritime routes in the Indian Ocean face growing geopolitical pressures, including competition from external powers. Premadasa's remarks reinforce the strategic importance of India as a stabilising force in an area vital for global trade and energy flows.

Shifting focus to South Asia, Premadasa stressed the need for political stability in Bangladesh, especially ahead of its upcoming elections. He argued that such stability would bolster democracy and ensure the aspirations and sovereign rights of Bangladeshis are upheld through fair processes. Stability in Bangladesh, he suggested, serves as a cornerstone for regional peace.

Premadasa expressed optimism for free and fair elections in Bangladesh, which he believes will authentically capture the people's will. This stance aligns with broader calls for democratic resilience in South Asia, where political transitions often carry ripple effects across borders. His comments underscore the interconnected security dynamics of the subcontinent.

Addressing Muhammad Yunus's recent call to revitalise SAARC, Premadasa affirmed the enduring relevance of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. Yunus, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser of the Interim Government, made this appeal on 1 January 2026, during tributes to the late former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Premadasa viewed SAARC as a vital platform for dialogue, cooperation, and conflict resolution.

Yunus highlighted the "SAARC spirit" as alive and well, pointing to the solidarity shown by South Asian leaders at Khaleda Zia's funeral in Dhaka. High-level delegations attended, including India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Nepal's Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma, Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath, Maldives' Minister Ali Haider Ahmed, and Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. This gathering signalled a rare moment of regional unity.

SAARC, established as an intergovernmental organisation, comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Premadasa advocated for its functionality to promote inclusive growth rooted in social democratic principles of equity, justice, and fairness. A revitalised SAARC, he argued, could drive peace, prosperity, and long-term stability in South Asia.

Yunus also recalled his efforts to convene an informal SAARC leaders' meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Discussions at Khaleda Zia's funeral touched on Bangladesh's national elections scheduled for 12 February 2026, with Yunus affirming preparations for a free, fair, and peaceful poll. These developments suggest tentative steps towards mending SAARC's paralysis, stalled since 2016 due to India-Pakistan tensions.

Premadasa's interview reflects a pragmatic Sri Lankan perspective on regional geopolitics, prioritising India's role amid China's expanding footprint in the Indian Ocean. His support for SAARC revival echoes Yunus's initiative, potentially opening doors for economic and security collaboration. Yet challenges persist, including Pakistan's participation and intra-regional rivalries.

For India, these statements from Premadasa and Yunus affirm its centrality in South Asian architecture. They come as New Delhi balances Neighbourhood First policies with global ambitions, including UNSC reform. Strengthening ties with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh could counterbalance external influences and enhance maritime security.

The convergence of views on SAARC's potential underscores a desire for subcontinental self-reliance. Premadasa's emphasis on shared prosperity aligns with India's initiatives like BIMSTEC, which bypasses Pakistan. As Bangladesh approaches its polls, regional leaders' attendance at Khaleda Zia's funeral may herald a thaw in multilateral engagement.

Premadasa's forthright endorsement of Indian leadership signals deepening Colombo-New Delhi bonds, vital for Indian Ocean stability. Coupled with Yunus's SAARC push, these voices advocate for cooperative frameworks amid flux in South Asian politics. Observers will watch if this momentum translates into actionable diplomacy.

Based On ANI Report

Comments

Continue Reading

Muhammad Yunus Tries To Revitalise SAARC South-Asian Grouping

Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate and Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, has invoked the "SAARC spirit" in a fervent call to revitalise the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Speaking at a recent regional forum, Yunus emphasised that the grouping's foundational ideals of unity and collaboration remain vibrant despite years of dormancy. His remarks come amid Bangladesh's political transition following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, positioning the nation as a potential catalyst for SAARC's revival.

SAARC, established in 1985, aimed to foster economic, social, and cultural ties among eight South Asian nations: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The organisation's charter promotes collective self-reliance and mutual trust. Yet, it has been paralysed since 2016, when India boycotted the Islamabad summit after the Uri terror attack, citing Pakistan's role in cross-border terrorism.

Yunus highlighted SAARC's untapped potential in addressing shared challenges like climate change, poverty, and food security. He argued that South Asia, home to a quarter of the world's population, cannot afford regional fragmentation when global powers vie for influence. "The SAARC spirit is alive," he declared, urging leaders to transcend bilateral tensions for collective progress.

Bangladesh's overture aligns with its historical role in SAARC's inception under Ziaur Rahman. As a neutral actor post-Hasina, Dhaka seeks to mediate between India and Pakistan, the grouping's perennial rivals. Yunus's vision includes virtual summits to bypass physical gatherings, drawing lessons from ASEAN's adaptive mechanisms.

India, SAARC's economic powerhouse, has remained sceptical. New Delhi prioritises bilateral ties and alternative forums like BIMSTEC, which excludes Pakistan. Officials in India view SAARC revival as untenable without Islamabad curbing terror networks. Recent India-Pakistan flare-ups, including the 2025 skirmishes along the Line of Control, have only deepened this divide.

Pakistan welcomed Yunus's call, with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stating that Islamabad is "ready to host" the next summit. This reflects Pakistan's strategy to internationalise the Kashmir issue through multilateral platforms. However, trust deficits persist, exacerbated by Beijing's growing footprint via the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Smaller members like Nepal, Bhutan, and Maldives express cautious optimism. Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has pushed for SAARC's economic agenda, including intra-regional trade, which languishes at a mere 5% of total commerce. Maldives, reeling from climate threats, sees SAARC as vital for unified advocacy at COP forums.

Sri Lanka, recovering from its 2022 economic crisis, supports revitalisation to boost tourism and remittances. Afghanistan's Taliban regime, admitted to SAARC in 2007, remains a wildcard; its isolation limits participation. Bhutan prioritises hydropower cooperation but treads carefully amid India-China border tensions.

Economically, SAARC's revival could unlock a $3 trillion market. The South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement of 2006 has underperformed due to non-tariff barriers. Yunus proposed digital integration, leveraging UPI-like systems for cross-border payments and e-commerce platforms to spur SMEs.

Climate resilience forms a cornerstone of his pitch. South Asia faces intensifying cyclones, floods, and heatwaves; the 2024 Godavari deluge in India and Bangladesh's monsoon fury underscored vulnerabilities. A revitalised SAARC could pool resources for early warning systems and disaster funds, akin to the SAARC Disaster Management Centre's dormant initiatives.

Yunus also flagged youth empowerment and connectivity. With 65% of South Asians under 35, skill-sharing programmes could harness a demographic dividend. Reviving the SAARC visa exemption for officials might extend to students, fostering people-to-people ties stalled by visa walls.

Geopolitically, the call arrives as US-China rivalry intensifies in the Indo-Pacific. India-US defence pacts like QUAD contrast with Pakistan's China tilt, fragmenting South Asia. Yunus warned against becoming a "geopolitical chessboard," advocating SAARC as a buffer for strategic autonomy.

Critics dismiss the initiative as quixotic. India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has repeatedly stated that "SAARC is dormant, not dead," implying revival hinges on Pakistan's behaviour. Bangladesh's internal fragility—marked by student protests and economic woes—raises doubts about its convening power.

Yet, precedents exist. The 2020 virtual SAARC summit, initiated by India's PM Modi during COVID-19, saw all members pledge $117 million for a relief fund. This ad-hoc success suggests low-hanging fruit in health and vaccine cooperation, especially post-Omicron waves.

Yunus's appeal resonates in Dhaka's "Smart Bangladesh" vision, blending SAARC with BIMSTEC for hybrid multilateralism. Bangladesh eyes leadership in sustainable development goals, using SAARC to amplify its voice at the UN.

As 2026 unfolds, Yunus's words challenge South Asia's leaders to reclaim a dormant dream. Whether the SAARC spirit reignites depends on reconciling security fears with economic imperatives. For now, his call injects urgency into a region long defined by division.

Based On ANI Report

Comments

Continue Reading

Pakistan Spews Venom; Pushes India-Excluding Asian Bloc With China And B'desh Backing, As SAARC Stalls Over Indo-Pak Tensions

Pakistan has reignited tensions over the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) by accusing India of deliberately blocking the regional body's progress.

The SAARC charter, established in 1985, unites Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to foster economic and cultural ties.

Yet, the organisation has languished for years, with Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Tahir Hussain Andrabi, pointing the finger squarely at New Delhi during a briefing on Thursday.

Andrabi described India's stance as "regrettable," claiming it has consistently disrupted SAARC processes. He expressed hope for a resumption but underscored Pakistan's frustration amid reports of Islamabad's pivot towards a new alliance. This comes as Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, explores forming an alternative grouping with Bangladesh and China, explicitly excluding India to sidestep perceived obstructions.

The spokesperson rejected India's narrative that Pakistan bears responsibility for SAARC's inertia. He recalled historical precedents, noting that India stalled a SAARC summit in the 1990s—not due to Pakistan, but by blaming another member state. Andrabi insisted that New Delhi's actions alone hinder regional cooperation, a charge that echoes long-standing bilateral frictions.

SAARC's decline traces back to the 2016 summit cancellation, when India refused to attend a scheduled gathering in Islamabad following the Uri terror attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi cited cross-border terrorism as the reason, prompting boycotts from Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Afghanistan. This effectively paralysed summits, with no heads-of-state meeting held since 2014 in Kathmandu.

Pakistan has repeatedly invoked SAARC to counter India's regional dominance. In recent months, amid economic woes and diplomatic isolation, Islamabad has sought alternatives. Whispers of a "new SAARC-like bloc" involving China and Bangladesh gained traction after high-level talks in Kunming, where trilateral cooperation on trade and security was discussed.

Bangladesh's role in this emerges as pivotal. Under Sheikh Hasina's government, Dhaka has balanced ties with India while deepening economic links with China via the Belt and Road Initiative. Pakistan views Bangladesh as a key partner to dilute India's influence, potentially creating a China-backed forum for infrastructure and defence collaboration.

China's involvement adds a geopolitical layer. Beijing, already a major investor in Pakistan through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has shown interest in broader South Asian frameworks. Analysts suggest this new alliance could mirror the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), focusing on counter-terrorism, economic corridors, and maritime security—areas where India and China clash.

India, for its part, dismisses these overtures as futile. Officials in New Delhi argue that SAARC's revival hinges on Pakistan ceasing terror sponsorship, referencing groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Bilateral trade between India and Pakistan remains suspended since 2019, post-Pulwama attack, underscoring the trust deficit.

Historical parallels abound. In the 1990s, SAARC summits faltered amid Kashmir tensions and India's nuclear tests. The 1999 Colombo summit collapse, blamed by Pakistan on India's inflexibility, mirrors today's rhetoric. Andrabi's reminder serves as a diplomatic jab, framing India as the perennial spoiler.

Regionally, SAARC's stasis has spurred alternatives. BIMSTEC, linking Bay of Bengal states including India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, has gained momentum with multiple summits since 2016. India champions BIMSTEC as a terrorism-free platform, sidelining Pakistan entirely—a move Islamabad decries as exclusionary.

Economically, SAARC's potential remains unrealised. Intra-regional trade hovers below 5% of total commerce, dwarfed by ASEAN's 25%. Pakistan's push for a new bloc eyes China's funding to boost connectivity, from Gwadar port to Chittagong, challenging India's SAGAR maritime vision.

Defence implications loom large, given the user's focus on strategic affairs. A China-Pakistan-Bangladesh axis could enhance military interoperability, with joint exercises and tech transfers. Pakistan's JF-17 fighters, co-produced with China, might integrate into such frameworks, countering India's Rafale and Tejas advancements.

India's response strategy emphasises "neighbourhood first." Recent pacts with Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka underscore this, including defence supply deals amid Beijing's debt-trap concerns. The Quad alliance further bolsters India's position against Chinese expansionism.

Pakistan's timing aligns with domestic pressures. Economic revival under IMF bailouts requires allies, and SAARC-bashing rallies nationalist sentiment. Yet, Bangladesh's enthusiasm remains tempered; Dhaka relies on Indian water-sharing and border stability.

Internationally, reactions are muted. The UN and US urge SAARC revival but prioritise counter-terrorism. Russia's India ties and Israel's defence partnerships with New Delhi limit Pakistan's options, pushing it deeper into China's orbit.

In essence, Andrabi's salvo signals no thaw. Pakistan's new alliance gambit risks further fragmenting South Asia, perpetuating a zero-sum dynamic. For defence watchers, it heightens vigilance on trilateral drills and procurement shifts, with indigenous production like India's HAL projects gaining urgency.

As tensions simmer, SAARC's fate hangs in balance—revivable only if trust rebuilds, or doomed to irrelevance amid rival blocs.

Agencies

Comments

Continue Reading

Pakistan Pushes For A South Asian Bloc Without India; Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan And Even Maldives May Not Join

Pakistan is making a renewed push to challenge India’s dominant position in South Asian geopolitics by proposing a new regional bloc that excludes New Delhi.

This move, led by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, aims to replace the nearly defunct South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) with a more inclusive and functional grouping.

Pakistan’s initiative looks to build on the trilateral mechanism recently established with Bangladesh and China, with aspirations to bring other regional countries on board.

Despite Pakistan’s ambitions to shift regional alliances, experts remain sceptical about the feasibility of excluding India from South Asian cooperation. India’s economic size, population, and geopolitical influence dwarf those of Pakistan and other South Asian nations.

These realities make the prospect of a regional bloc without India hard to envision operationally, as countries in the region tend to rely heavily on New Delhi for economic connectivity, security coordination, and crisis management.

SAARC, established in 1985 as South Asia’s primary regional organisation, has largely stagnated in recent years due to political tensions, especially between India and Pakistan. The group comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, with the objective of fostering economic growth and social development across the region.

However, hostile relations, particularly India’s objection to Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism, have stalled meaningful cooperation. The 2016 SAARC summit scheduled to be held in Islamabad was cancelled after the Uri terrorist attack, cementing the organisation’s inactivity.

Given Pakistan’s strained relations with India, New Delhi has pivoted towards the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), which excludes Pakistan entirely. This shift indicates India’s pragmatic approach to regional collaboration, focusing on frameworks where it can lead without Pakistan’s involvement.

South Asia’s importance as a regional economic bloc cannot be overlooked. Home to over two billion people, the region is the most densely populated globally, yet intra-regional trade remains surprisingly low — only about 5% of total commerce.

The World Bank has noted that if regional barriers were reduced, trade among South Asian countries could potentially triple to $67 billion, highlighting a major untapped economic opportunity. Poor connectivity and political mistrust are key factors hindering this integration.

Pakistan’s attempt to create a new regional platform at this juncture seems more aspirational than practical. As noted by Lahore-based academic Rabia Akhtar, the idea communicates Islamabad’s desire to rethink regional cooperation beyond the deadlock of SAARC.

However, she emphasises that the success of this initiative depends heavily on whether regional players find genuine functional value in smaller, specialised groupings and on the political costs of joining such initiatives, especially when they might antagonise India.

Previous efforts by Pakistan and China to alter regional dynamics have met limited success. Expert Swaran Singh from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi highlights India’s overwhelming demographic, economic, and military advantages, which position New Delhi as an indispensable regional power. He cautions that any South Asian cooperation framework that excludes India faces serious challenges in gaining traction.

Smaller South Asian countries, such as Nepal and Bhutan, have significant economic dependencies on India. Their export supply chains and access to markets, as well as critical support during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic vaccine distribution, are deeply integrated with India.

This reliance reinforces the perception of India as a central actor in South Asian affairs, making exclusionary regional proposals by Pakistan difficult to implement realistically.

Another JNU academic, Shantesh Kumar Singh, underlines the importance of India maintaining its role as a responsible and engaged regional leader.

He argues that India’s proactive involvement is key to preventing fragmentation of regional associations like SAARC. Without India, such organisations risk becoming fragmented, underfunded, and susceptible to external influences, notably from China, which is expanding its strategic footprint in South Asia.

Ultimately, Pakistan’s new regional bloc proposal faces steep obstacles rooted in deep geopolitical realities. India's central role in the region’s political, economic, and security architecture is entrenched and broadly accepted.

While Pakistan seeks to promote inclusive, non-zero-sum regionalism, the exclusion of India contradicts the practical interdependencies and power dynamics that define South Asia. This makes the success of Islamabad’s vision unlikely, at least in the foreseeable future.

Based On NDTV Report

Comments

Continue Reading

Bangladesh’s NSA Khalilur Rahman To Visit Delhi For Key Colombo Security Conclave Hosted by NSA Ajit Doval

Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman is scheduled to visit New Delhi from November 19 to 20, 2025, to lead his country’s delegation at the seventh NSA-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC).

This important security conclave is hosted by India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and brings together counterparts from Maldives, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka, expanding from what was previously a trilateral maritime dialogue.​

The Colombo Security Conclave has evolved into a significant Indian Ocean regional security forum focusing on several priority areas including maritime safety and security, countering terrorism and radicalisation, combating trafficking and organised crime, cyber security, protection of critical infrastructure, and humanitarian assistance. It now includes India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius as members, with Bangladesh and Seychelles as observers.​

This visit marks the highest level of security engagement between India and Bangladesh since the interim government took office following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 amid student-led protests. Hasina, who fled to India, had established close security and economic cooperation with New Delhi during her 15-year tenure.​

Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, has emphasised regional cooperation, demonstrated by active participation in regional forums such as BIMSTEC and efforts to revive SAARC.

The visit of NSA Rahman aligns with these priorities and reflects a willingness on both sides to engage on strategic and security matters despite the changing political landscape in Dhaka.​

Beyond the formal conclave proceedings, there is a likelihood of bilateral discussions between the NSA of Bangladesh and India on regional security concerns, including the issue of frequent visits by senior Pakistani military officials to Dhaka, which has drawn Indian attention.​

The Colombo Security Conclave continues to strengthen security collaboration among the Indian Ocean littoral states under Ajit Doval’s leadership. It acts as a platform to address transnational threats and contribute to regional stability through multi-dimensional cooperation.​

The upcoming Delhi conclave underscores renewed high-level security dialogue between India and Bangladesh in an evolving regional context, supported by broader Indian Ocean security cooperation with key island states and neighbours.​

Agencies

Comments

Continue Reading

Pakistan And China Are Leading Efforts To Create A New Regional Bloc To Replace SAARC

Chinese President Xi Jinping, with Pak's Sharif and Asim Munir

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approach effectively led to the paralysis of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation), largely due to persistent non-cooperation by Pakistan, especially on issues of cross-border terrorism and regional connectivity.

After the terror attack on an Indian Army base in Uri in September 2016, which India attributed to militants from Pakistan, India announced it would not attend the SAARC summit scheduled in Islamabad. The Indian government cited "cross-border terror attacks" and stated that the environment was "not conducive" for the meeting.

Following India's lead, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Bhutan also decided to boycott the summit, citing similar concerns about terrorism and interference by Pakistan. With multiple key members withdrawing, the summit was cancelled, and SAARC's functioning was effectively stalled.

SAARC's rules require all heads of state or government to participate for a summit to proceed. The withdrawal by India and others made it impossible to hold the summit, and no full SAARC summit has been held since.

Beyond terrorism concerns, Pakistan repeatedly used its veto to block key SAARC initiatives, such as the SAARC Motor Vehicles Agreement in 2014, which would have enhanced regional connectivity. This led India and other members to pursue sub-regional alternatives like the BBIN (Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal) Motor Vehicles Agreement.

With SAARC paralysed, India shifted its focus to other regional groupings such as BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), which notably excludes Pakistan, to advance its regional cooperation agenda.

New Alliance

Pakistan and China are actively advancing discussions to establish a new regional bloc intended to replace the long-dormant South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). This initiative was highlighted by a trilateral meeting in Kunming, China, on June 19, 2025, which included senior diplomats from China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

The meeting aimed to foster regional integration and connectivity, with plans to invite other former SAARC members such as Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan to join the new grouping. Although India is expected to be invited, it is widely believed that New Delhi will decline participation due to divergent strategic interests and ongoing tensions with Islamabad and Beijing.

The proposed bloc's main objectives are to enhance trade, connectivity, and regional engagement, potentially mirroring aspects of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and specifically seeking to extend the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) eastward towards Bangladesh. This development poses a direct challenge to India’s traditional leadership role in South Asian regionalism and its core strategic interests, especially regarding CPEC’s passage through disputed territories.

Amid these developments, former Pakistani ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani, has raised concerns about the coherence of Islamabad’s foreign policy. On one hand, Pakistan is deepening its alignment with China through the proposed bloc and has recently secured significant financial support from Beijing.

On the other hand, Pakistan’s military leadership is simultaneously seeking closer ties with Washington, exemplified by high-level engagements such as the recent White House lunch hosted by US President Donald Trump for Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, and new US-linked economic initiatives in Pakistan. Haqqani questioned whether these seemingly contradictory approaches—aligning with China while “cosying up” to the US—can be reconciled or sustained.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, has publicly distanced itself from suggestions that it is forming a political alliance, clarifying that the Kunming meeting was at the official, not political, level and did not constitute the creation of a formal bloc.

The push for a new bloc comes against the backdrop of SAARC’s prolonged inactivity, which is attributed to persistent bilateral tensions, especially between India and Pakistan, as well as broader issues of leadership, economic disparities, and bureaucratic inertia among member states. The last SAARC summit was held in 2014, and subsequent efforts have stalled, with India and several other members boycotting the 2016 summit in Islamabad after the Uri terror attack.

Pakistan and China are leading efforts to create a new regional bloc to replace SAARC, focusing on trade and connectivity, with outreach to other South Asian countries but likely excluding India.

Pakistan’s simultaneous engagement with both China and the US has drawn scepticism, with experts questioning the sustainability and strategic coherence of this dual-track approach.

Bangladesh denies forming a political alliance, emphasising the exploratory and official nature of recent meetings.

The initiative reflects both the failure of SAARC due to regional rivalries and the shifting landscape of South Asian geopolitics.

Agencies

Comments

Continue Reading

'Leave In 48 Hours,' India Tells Pakistanis On SAARC Visa

In response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, the Indian government has announced a series of stringent measures targeting Pakistani nationals and bilateral arrangements with Pakistan.

The most immediate and impactful action is the suspension of the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals. This decision was taken following a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the attack’s cross-border linkages were discussed in detail.

Under the new directive, Pakistani citizens are no longer permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme. All SVES visas previously issued to Pakistani nationals have been declared null and void. Any Pakistani currently in India on an SVES visa is required to leave the country within 48 hours.

The SVES, initiated in 1992, was designed to facilitate travel for specific categories of individuals—such as dignitaries, judges, parliamentarians, senior officials, businesspeople, journalists, and sportspersons—between SAARC member states without the need for regular visas. With this suspension, Pakistanis are now excluded from this privilege.

In addition to the visa measures, India has taken further steps to signal its strong response:

The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 has been suspended until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.” This move puts a key water-sharing agreement between the two countries on hold.

The Integrated Check Post at Attari, a major land border crossing between India and Pakistan, has been closed. Pakistanis who entered India through this route with valid endorsements are allowed to return before May 1.

Defence, military, naval, and air advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared “persona non grata” and given a week to leave India. India will reciprocally withdraw its own advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. Additionally, five support staff from both missions will be withdrawn.

The overall strength of both countries’ High Commissions will be reduced from 55 to 30 by May 1, further limiting diplomatic engagement.

These measures reflect India’s intent to demonstrate zero tolerance for terrorism and to hold accountable those responsible for cross-border attacks. The government emphasized that these steps are part of a broader strategy to ensure national security and to send a clear message regarding the consequences of supporting terrorism.

NDTV Report

Comments

Continue Reading

India Squarely Blames Pakistan Responsible For Stymieing SAARC's Effectiveness

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has responded to Bangladesh's call for the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) by emphasizing that "everyone in South Asia is aware" of the factors responsible for stymieing the organization.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted that the lack of political will among member states, particularly between India and Pakistan, has hindered SAARC's effectiveness and progress in addressing regional issues.

Randhir Jaiswal, highlighted significant challenges faced by the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), implicitly attributing these issues to Pakistan's actions. During a weekly briefing, he stated, "Everyone in South Asia is aware of which country and what activities are responsible for stymieing SAARC," without directly naming Pakistan.

This statement comes in the context of Bangladesh's renewed efforts to revitalize SAARC, which has struggled with effectiveness due to various geopolitical tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan. Jaiswal indicated that discussions regarding SAARC took place during a meeting between India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Bangladesh's Foreign Advisor in Muscat, where concerns about terrorism were also addressed.

SAARC has faced numerous obstacles, including political rivalries and a lack of consensus among member states, which have often hindered its initiatives. The organization operates on a principle of unanimity, allowing any member to block decisions, which has led to stagnation in progress. The ongoing geopolitical tensions and historical conflicts within the region have significantly impacted SAARC's ability to foster collaboration and address shared challenges effectively.

Randhir Jaiswal revealed that SAARC was discussed during a meeting between External Affairs Minister (EAM) Jaishankar and Bangladesh's Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain in Muscat.

Bangladesh's Interim Chief Adviser, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has been vocal about the need to rejuvenate SAARC, citing its potential to tackle pressing regional challenges such as security, economic cooperation, and humanitarian crises like the Rohingya refugee situation.

He urged member countries to seize opportunities for dialogue, particularly during upcoming international meetings like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.

The MEA's remarks reflect a broader sentiment that while there is a desire for regional cooperation, historical tensions and national interests often take precedence over collective action.

The last SAARC summit was held in 2014, and since then, efforts to convene have been thwarted by political disagreements, particularly between India and Pakistan.

ANI

Comments

Continue Reading

EAM Jaishankar Meets With Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser; Discusses Bilateral Ties, BIMSTEC

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain in Muscat on Sunday on the sidelines of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) in Muscat, Oman.

Jaishankar mentioned the meeting in a post on X, stating that the conversation focused on the bilateral relationship between the two countries and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

BIMSTEC includes Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan, and Nepal. Bangladesh is scheduled to chair the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok from April 2 to 4 of this year. The meeting between Hossain and Jaishankar occurred on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean Conference in Oman, as part of efforts to prevent strains in bilateral ties.

Ties between India and Bangladesh have been strained since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, which led to Nobel Peace laureate Mohammad Yunus coming to power.

Relations further deteriorated following attacks on minority Hindus in Bangladesh, causing strong concerns in New Delhi.

Bangladesh and India have acknowledged existing challenges in their bilateral relations and have discussed the necessity of working together to address them. This mutual recognition occurred during the meeting.

Hossain stressed the importance of initiating discussions for the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty and highlighted the significance of holding a meeting of the SAARC Standing Committee, requesting the Government of India's consideration in this matter.

Both sides recalled their previous meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA in September 2024 and noted the various bilateral engagements since then, including Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Dhaka on December 9, 2024, and the participation of Bangladesh's energy advisor in the India Energy Week events in New Delhi on February 10-11, 2025.

Additionally, a meeting between the Directors General of Border Guarding Forces of both countries was scheduled for February 18-20, 2025, in New Delhi, with the hope of resolving border-related issues.

ANI

Comments

Continue Reading

'Pakistan's Practice of Cross-Border Terrorism Stalls SAARC Progress': EAM Jaishankar

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday criticised Pakistan for fuelling cross-border terrorism in South Asia, which he believes is the primary reason for the struggles faced by the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Jaishankar's criticism comes ahead of his visit to Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.

He also cited cross-border terrorism as the key obstacle to SAARC's progress, pointing to one member state's practice of cross-border terrorism at least against one more member.

While delivering the Sardar Patel Lecture on Governance organised by the IC Centre for Governance in New Delhi, Jaishanka said, "At the moment, SAARC is not moving forward, we haven't had a meeting of SAARC for a very simple reason - there is one member of SAARC who is practicing cross-border terrorism at least against one more member of SAARC, maybe more... Terrorism is something which is unacceptable and despite a global view of it, if one of our neighbours continues to do it - there cannot be business as usual in SAARC. That's the reason why the SAARC meeting has not happened in recent years - but it doesn't mean that the regional activities have stopped."

He added, "In fact, in the last 5-6 years, we have seen far more regional integration in the Indian subcontinent and we have seen since the participation of India. If you look today with Bangladesh, with Nepal, with Bhutan, with Myanmar, with Sri Lanka... you have roads being rebuilt... you have ferries, you have fertiliser supplies... So I would actually say that what is happening in the neighbourhood, it is happening because of the Neighbourhood First policy..."

Meanwhile, Jaishankar also expressed his concerns over the rising tensions in the Middle East and said, "Middle East is not opportunity. The Middle East is a cause of great concern and deep worry. The conflict is widening - what we saw as a terrorist attack, then the response, then we saw what happened in Gaza. Now you are seeing it in exchange in Lebanon, between Israel and Iran."

Highlighting the repercussions of the Middle East conflict, Jaishankar noted that escalating tensions have resulted in a significant surge in shipping and insurance rates, thereby affecting global trade. "The Houthis are firing on the Red Sea. This is actually costing us. It's not that somebody is neutral and you benefit. Shipping rates have gone up. Insurance rates have gone up. Exports and foreign trade have been affected. Oil prices have gone up."

He further said, "Conflicts can be opportunistically used, I don't deny that, but I think in a globalised world which is so tight, conflict anywhere actually creates problems everywhere and some supply of some kind will get affected by this. So I would say honestly today, whether it is the conflict in Ukraine or the conflict in the Middle East, these are big factors of instability, big factors of concern. I think the entire world, including us, we are worried about it."

This report is auto-generated from a syndicated feed

Comments

Continue Reading

'Want To Strengthen Regional Cooperation But...': India On SAARC Revival

New Delhi: India wants to strengthen regional cooperation but one nation has a particular way of doing things, which is stalling South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly media briefing on Friday.

On being asked about the revival of SAARC, Jaiswal said, "We attach deep importance to regional cooperation, to regional connectivity. Therefore, we have given impetus to BIMSTEC. On SAARC, as you know, we want to strengthen regional cooperation but you are well aware of the reason as to why this particular cooperation in that format is not moving forward."

"One particular country has a particular way of doing things which is stalling Saarc. But, as far as regional cooperation is concerned, we attach deep importance to it. You would have seen our approach in it through BIMSTEC and other platforms that we have," he added.

Notably, the SAARC is the regional intergovernmental organization of eight countries of South Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Earlier in 2023, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in a veiled attack on Pakistan, said that India cannot have SAARC meetings until one member continues to engage in acts of terrorism, adding that India will not tolerate a situation where "terrorism happens by night and trade happens by day."

While responding to the question about not hearing anything on SAARC, Jaishankar at India International Centre said, "You have not heard very much about SAARC because, in the last few years, there isn't very much to hear about. We have not had meetings because you have a member of SAARC who doesn't conform to all the basic requirements of what a good membership is, and that is today an obstacle reality for the SAARC to meet. You know I said we cannot continue with acts of terrorism and say the cooperation will continue to happen nevertheless."

"So, I think there are issues there and it's time to recognize the seriousness of those issues and not allow terrorism to happen by night and trade by day. I don't think the country is well served by that," he added.

Earlier also, Jaishankar had blamed Pakistan for SAARC not being an active organisation. In December 2022, Jaishankar in Varanasi said that the SAARC currently is not active because one member of the SAARC believes that dealing with "neighbours is compatible with the factors of cross-border terrorism."

This report is auto-generated from a syndicated feed

Comments

Continue Reading

WHO South-Asia Chief Shares 'Quick Bite' With Mother Sheikh Hasina Ahead of Narendra Modi's Oath Ceremony

New Delhi: World Health Organisation (WHO) South-Asia Regional Director Saima Wazed shared a picture with her mother, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ahead of the oath ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi on Sunday.

PM Hasina is in India to attend the swearing-in ceremony of PM-designate Modi scheduled to be held today evening.

"A quick bite with Ma, ahead of Prime Minister @narendramodi's inauguration in #Delhi later today," Wazed posted on social media platform X.

Earlier in the day, Sheikh Hasina paid a courtesy call to Bharat Ratna and veteran BJP leader LK Advani at the latter's residence in New Delhi.

She is one of the distinguished guests invited to New Delhi to attend the much-awaited ceremony.

She landed in the national capital on Saturday afternoon and was the first foreign leader to arrive here for the ceremony.

Secretary (CPV & OIA), Muktesh Pardeshi received Prime Minister Hasina at the airport.

Narendra Modi will take the oath of office at 7.15 pm today along with his council of ministers in a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) unanimously passed a resolution to elect Narendra Modi as their leader on June 5.

BJP-led NDA secured 293 seats in the Lok Sabha elections in the 543-member lower house of the Indian parliament. BJP, which won resounding majorities of 282 seats in 2014 and 303 seats in 2019, fell short of the majority mark (272) on its own this time.

Alongside Narendra Modi, members of his council of ministers will also take their oath this evening. PM Modi is the second Indian leader to win a third consecutive term after founding prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

India and Bangladesh enjoy warm ties, which have further expanded under the leadership of PM Modi and Sheikh Hasina. PM Modi was one of the first leaders to congratulate Hasina after she won the general elections in January this year.

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina was among the first foreign leaders to congratulate PM Modi. He invited PM Hasina for the oath-ceremony, which was accepted by the Bangladesh PM.

PM Modi's invitation to neighbouring leaders reflects India's ongoing efforts to engage with countries in the region. In 2014, he convened leaders from SAARC nations, and in 2019, he invited countries from the BIMSTEC group.

This report is auto-generated from a syndicated feed

Comments

Continue Reading

MoS Rajkumar Singh Receives SAARC Secretary-General On His Inaugural Visit To India

New Delhi: Minister of State for External Affairs, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, on Tuesday, received SAARC Secretary-General Golam Sarwar on his inaugural visit to India.

The Union Minister wished him the best for his tenure ahead.

"Received Secretary General, SAARC, H.E. Md. Golam Sarwar on his inaugural visit to India. Wished him the best for his tenure ahead," the Union Minister stated on his post on X.

SAARC Secretary-General Golam Sarwar arrived in New Delhi on Saturday, for an official visit to the country from May 11 to 14.

"Welcome to India! SAARC Secretary General Md Golam Sarwar arrives in New Delhi on his first official visit to India. An opportunity to further strengthen cooperation in South Asia," said the Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, on Saturday.

Golam Sarwar is also scheduled to hold a meeting with Jaideep Mazumdar, secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

He will visit South Asian University in Delhi's Maidan Garhi on Tuesday. He is scheduled to depart from Delhi on May 15, according to the MEA.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established on December 8, 1985. It comprises eight member states: India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The Secretariat of SAARC was set up in Kathmandu on 17 January 1987, according to the official statement.

The objectives of the SAARC are to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and improve their quality of life; accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region; provide all individuals with the opportunity to live in dignity and realise their full potential; and promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia, according to an official statement by the SAARC Secretariat.

(With Agency Inputs)

Comments

Continue Reading

SAARC Secretary General Arrives In New Delhi For Official Visit

New Delhi: SAARC Secretary-General Golam Sarwar arrived in New Delhi for an official visit to the country from May 11 to 14.

"Welcome to India! SAARC Secretary General Md Golam Sarwar arrives in New Delhi on his first official visit to India. An opportunity to further strengthen cooperation in South Asia," said the Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, on Saturday.

He is scheduled to meet the Minister of State for External Affairs, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, in Delhi on Tuesday.

During his visit, Sarwar will deliver an address at the 3rd Shakti Sinha Memorial Lecture on 'The Future of SAARC' on Monday, as per a media advisory issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He will also meet Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra. He is scheduled to participate in the programme in Delhi on Tuesday.

Golam Sarwar is also scheduled to hold a meeting with Jaideep Mazumdar, secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He will visit South Asian University in Delhi's Maidan Garhi on Tuesday. He is scheduled to depart from Delhi on May 15, according to the MEA.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established on December 8, 1985. It comprises eight member states: India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Secretariat of SAARC was set up in Kathmandu on 17 January 1987, according to the official statement.

The objectives of the SAARC are to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and improve their quality of life; accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region; provide all individuals with the opportunity to live in dignity and realise their full potential; and promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia, according to an official statement by the SAARC Secretariat.

In addition, SAARC aims to contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another's problems; promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields, strengthen cooperation with other developing countries, strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interest; and cooperate with international and regional organisations with similar aims and purposes.

This report is auto-generated from a syndicated feed

Comments

Continue Reading

India Slams Pakistan As 'One Country's Terrorism Toolkit' To Rule Out SAARC's Revival

New Delhi: Ahead of the formation of a new government in Pakistan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday ruled out any immediate possibility of revival of regional grouping SAARC in view of Islamabad's "toolkit" of using terrorism in different ways, including against other members of the bloc.

In an interactive session at a think-tank, Jaishankar, without directly naming Pakistan, said the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is in trouble as one of its member nations has been relentlessly backing terrorism.

"If you ask me whether I see a future for SAARC, in some ways, actually you are asking me if I see a future for that country. Because if that country does not really let go of those kinds of options in its armoury or its toolkit, then it is not just SAARC which is in danger. I mean, very frankly, you are looking at the state of that country as well," he said.

To a question on whether India is perceived by its neighbours as a bully, Jaishankar countered, saying, "A big bully does not provide USD 4.5 billion when the neighbours are in trouble. Big bullies do not supply vaccines to other countries when Covid (pandemic) was on and make exceptions to their own rules to respond to food demands, fuel demands, fertiliser demands because some war in some other part of the world has complicated their lives."

Jaishankar was speaking at the Ananta Aspen Centre.

The external affairs minister said the SAARC is in trouble as one of its members has been supporting terrorism.

"The SAARC is in trouble basically because -- how do you have a regional organisation when one member does not hide the fact, in fact, sometimes proclaims the fact that they undertake, I am using the most neutral word possible, violent actions against other members?" he asked.

"If we are to sit as a group, but you reserve the right to attack me in the night, how long are we going to sit as a group? We have kind of obfuscated this issue for too long," Jaishankar said.

The SAARC is a regional bloc comprising India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

"We found excuses that there is a constituency out there, there is a reason for why they are doing it. The bottom line is that we have to be clear in our own minds. Is it the view that we should proceed with SAARC even if one member of SAARC actually has training camps, trains terrorists, pushes them across (the border), supports them in different ways?" he asked.

"It was heading for a crisis. It was just a certain succession of events, finally precipitating what happened," Jaishankar said.

The external affairs minister added: "Our problem in the neighbourhood, very honestly, is with one country."

At the same time, he said "in diplomacy, you always hold out hopes", adding "who knows one day what the future holds".

The SAARC has not been very effective since 2016 as its biennial summits have not taken place since the last one in Kathmandu in 2014.

The 2016 SAARC Summit was to be held in Islamabad. But after a terrorist attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 that year, India expressed its inability to participate in the summit due to "prevailing circumstances".

The summit was called off after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to participate in the Islamabad meet.

The external affairs minister said unlike the SAARC, cooperation under the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) is moving ahead.

"I think there is today an appetite to grow under BIMSTEC," he said.

"It is not like there are no problems there. The situation in Myanmar is very challenging. But I would say, we do not have the kind of issues in BIMSTEC which we do have in SAARC. There is a will to cooperate, there is a desire to take it forward," he said.

This report is auto-generated from a syndicated feed

Comments

Continue Reading