As the idea of an alternative to SAARC gains momentum, India must act now to safeguard its regional power status
China has long desired to have a foothold in South Asia, the region which is strategically and economically conducive for its aspirations. Now it has got an opportunity to make an entry by forming a group of South Asian countries on the lines of SAARC. A recent trilateral meeting between China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh in Kunming has reignited discussions about the future of regional cooperation in South Asia.
Reportedly these three countries are exploring the formation of a new regional organisation, potentially positioning it as an alternative to the long-stalled South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
While Bangladesh has officially downplayed the political implications of the Kunming meeting, the timing and context suggest a more ambitious agenda. Formed in 1985, SAARC includes eight South Asian nations: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. However, the organisation has been largely dysfunctional for the past decade.
The last SAARC Summit was held in Kathmandu in 2014. Since then, India-Pakistan tensions and broader geopolitical realignments have kept SAARC in cold storage, leaving a vacuum in regional diplomacy. China has steadily increased its footprint in South Asia through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), infrastructure investments, and strategic partnerships.
Its closer alignment with Pakistan, formalised through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), offers both countries an incentive to shape a new multilateral platform that bypasses India's dominance. For Pakistan, a new grouping-especially one that includes China-could allow Islamabad to regain some diplomatic leverage in the region.
However, the formation would not be a cakewalk. Bangladesh's official dismissal of alliance-building reflects its delicate balancing act. While Dhaka has strong economic ties with China and shares historical ties with Pakistan, its political, cultural, and economic proximity to India cannot be ignored.
Moreover, Bangladesh's reluctance to appear part of any China-Pakistan axis suggests that it values its autonomy and strategic balance. For India, the proposed bloc can a direct challenge to its regional dominant power. The creation of a parallel regional order where China, an external power, sets the agenda in South Asia could erode India's dominance.
If countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Maldives sign on — drawn by investment promises — India may find itself increasingly isolated in its immediate neighbourhood. However, India also has considerable soft power, historical linkages, and economic influence in the region. The backlash against China’s debt-trap diplomacy and increasing concerns over sovereignty could deter many nations .
The need of the hour is that India must take proactive steps to revive SAARC by engaging bilaterally with member states. India must intensify economic and infrastructure partnerships with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Maldives. India is better suited to lead South Asia than China because of its historical and geographic advantages which are deeply rooted in its South Asian identity, While SAARC may be comatose, the need for regional cooperation is more urgent than ever. India must seize the moment to reassert its role as a natural leader in South Asia-not through coercion.
