Islamabad:
Pakistan and China are working on a proposal to establish a new regional organization that could replace the now missing South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
The discussions between Islamabad and Beijing are now in an advanced stage, since both parties are convinced that a new organization is the need for regional integration and connectivity, according to diplomatic sources familiar with development.
The recent trilateral meeting of Pakistan, China and Bangladesh held in Kunming, China, was part of those diplomatic maneuvers.
The meeting attended by superior diplomats from three countries was the first of its kind that raised the eyebrows in India.
The final objective of the meeting in Kunming on June 19 was to invite other countries in southern Asia, which were part of SAARC, to join the new group.
India, according to the sources, would be invited to the new proposed forum, but given their divergent interests, it is unlikely to respond positively.
However, other countries such as Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan, are expected to name some of the group.
The main objective of the new organization is to seek greater regional participation through improved trade and connectivity.
If the proposal materializes, SAARC, which was once called the European Union (EU) of southern Asia, would be dead as always.
Saarc could not achieve its declared objectives, since it was still hostage of adverse ties between Pakistan and India.
The regional group celebrated its summit for the last time a decade ago. Pakistan was going to organize the summit in 2016, but India boycotted the meeting in Islamabad. Bangladesh, who at that time was governed by Pro-India Sheikh Hasina Wajid, also joined New Delhi to stay away from the summit.
Since then, no serious efforts were made to revive the organization, although Pakistan was eager to organize the summit.
Recently, Saarc received another fatal blow when India withdrew from offering special visas under the organization to Pakistani businessmen after Pahalgam’s attack.
Pakistan and China were discussing the proposal of a new organization for months and concluded that related ideas should join hands for a better future.
India, observers believe, due to their divergent interests, is mained in other regional groups such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Prime Minister Narendra Modi jumped the last two SCO summits. The 10 -member security alliance includes China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan and some central Asia states.
The presence of China and Russia often refers to the SCO as a regional bloc to challenge West. However, India in recent years seems to disagree with the SCO agenda.
