Maldives’ plea to restart South Asian bloc hits India-Pakistan brick wall
The Maldives is attempting to revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to foster regional stability and economic growth. However, experts suggest the initiative is unlikely to succeed due to the ongoing geopolitical deadlock between India and Pakistan.
Why it matters
The stagnation of SAARC limits regional integration and economic cooperation in South Asia, leaving a power vacuum and hindering collective responses to transnational challenges.
The Maldives recently called to revive a South Asian grouping, which has been suspended for over a decade. But given the tensions between two of the most influential countries in that region – India and Pakistan – that request is likely to go unheeded, according to observers.
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said on July 26 that his country was ready to help resume the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) meetings. The last one was held 12 years ago.
Describing the bloc as an important regional organisation, Muizzu said reviving it was essential for peace and stability in the region. “The Maldives stands ready to serve as a mediator” to get Saarc member states to return to the negotiating table, he said.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in