Pakistan wants to keep India out of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and wishes to form a new group. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that the trilateral initiatives between China, Bangladesh and Pakistan can be expanded to other regions.
‘SAARC cannot be made hostile’
Without directly naming India, Dar said SAARC cannot be made hostile. He demanded the establishment of a new organisation in place of SAARC. This is being seen as Pakistan’s ambition, but his statement has raised several questions.
‘Pakistan has opposed the zero-sum approach’
Speaking at the 5th Islamabad Conclave organised at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), Dar said, “Pakistan has opposed the zero-sum approach and focused on the need for cooperation instead of confrontation.” The foreign minister said that Pakistan wants an open and inclusive regionalism. He urged the formation of a new multilateral organisation outside SAARC, in which India will not be included. The Pakistani Foreign Minister dubbed India as the biggest obstacle to SAARC.
Pakistan hatched conspiracy with China, Bangladesh
In June, diplomats from China, Bangladesh and Pakistan held discussions on regional stability, economic development and making the region a better place for their citizens. At the time, Pakistan and China claimed that it was not aimed at any third nation, and after learning their intent, Bangladesh distanced itself. Pakistan’s dream to form a tri-nation group did not materialise. Since then, Pakistan has wanted to create a group, and after receiving support from China, it is encouraging South Asian nations to form a group without India.
Pakistan provoked B’desh against India
Ishaq Dar has put forward the proposal regarding SAARC at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan are high. After Operation Sindoor in May, Pakistan has been spewing venom against India. On the other hand, strained ties have developed between India and Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina fled the country following student movements and took shelter in India. Bangladesh is requesting India to extradite Sheikh Hasina, but India is not in a hurry.
Pakistan wants to create an organisation of South Asian countries, and it expects that Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Maldives may join it. It will put tactical pressure on China for the creation of the organisation, as China has influence in these countries. However, without the inclusion of India, questions are being raised about its viability.
What is SAARC?
SAARC was established in 1985 during a summit in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It had seven founding members-India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The focus of SAARC was to enhance the quality of people’s lives, ensure economic development in the region and promote cultural development. However, it has failed to achieve its objectives in the last 40 years, and Pakistan’s policy of nurturing terrorism is widely seen as the main reason for its failure.
