Maldives’ plea to restart South Asian bloc hits India-Pakistan brick wall

The Maldives recently called for the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc), a bloc that has been suspended for over a decade. However, given tensions between India and Pakistan, two influential countries in the region, observers believe this request is likely to be ignored. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu stated that he was ready to help resume Saarc meetings, describing it as an essential regional organization for peace and stability.

Bangladesh's government, led by Tarique Rahman, also called for the bloc's revival, arguing that it could unlock economic potential and address shared transnational challenges.

However, experts believe that the primary obstacle to reviving Saarc remains the India-Pakistan deadlock. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on national security and the perception of Pakistan as a "persistent security challenge" make it unlikely that India will engage in a revival of the bloc in the near term. The last Saarc summit, held in Nepal in 2014, was cancelled by India after a terrorist attack in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, which India blamed on Pakistan.

India's response to the attack included expelling Pakistani diplomats, withdrawing its own envoys, canceling visas, and imposing a travel ban on Pakistani nationals. Critics argue that these actions illustrate a breakdown in relations and prevent any meaningful cooperation between the two countries.