The Case For SAARC Revival and the Role Bangladesh Can Play in Regional Integration

Bangladesh has historically played a responsible and constructive role in South Asia, guided by the foreign policy principles of friendship, peaceful coexistence, mutual interest and regional development. In the 1980s, Bangladesh pioneered the idea of regional institutional cooperation by proposing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), championed by former President Ziaur Rahman, whose diplomatic vision played a pivotal role in bringing South Asian nations under a common regional framework. 

During its most effective years, SAARC served as an essential platform for cooperation in trade, agriculture, development, disaster management, education, climate change and cultural exchange. Although the organisation does not formally address bilateral disputes, it has often provided a conducive environment for dialogue, indirectly easing tensions among member states, particularly India and Pakistan.

Why SAARC still matters

Despite the emergence of alternative regional initiatives such as Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) and Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN), SAARC continues to have broader regional relevance. This is primarily due to the sub-regional nature of other initiatives, while SAARC remains the only institutional platform encompassing the entire region. 

In this context, SAARC’s institutional uniqueness not only reinforces its structural relevance but also shapes how individual member states, particularly Bangladesh, position their foreign policy priorities. From a path-dependency perspective, Bangladesh’s historical commitment to SAARC continues to influence its regional outlook. This legacy may be particularly significant under the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which was founded by Ziaur Rahman. The BNP’s political framework emphasises bilateral and multilateral relations based on equality, fairness, pragmatism, mutual interest and respect for international norms, while reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to strengthening SAARC as an effective platform for regional cooperation.

Opportunities for regional revival

The revival of SAARC presents both challenges and opportunities. Constructivist perspectives suggest that South Asia’s shared cultural heritage, social interconnectedness and common historical experiences can foster regional integration through collective identity and social learning. Simultaneously, neo-functionalist theory highlights economic cooperation as the starting point for wider regional integration.

South Asia possesses significant untapped trade potential due to shared consumption patterns, geographic proximity and economic interdependence. Prioritising regional trade through SAARC could deepen connectivity and accelerate infrastructure development. For instance, initiatives such as the proposed SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement could significantly benefit landlocked countries like Nepal and Bhutan while enhancing regional commerce.

The changing geopolitical landscape further strengthens the rationale for renewed regional cooperation. Intensifying great-power competition across the Indo-Pacific has increased South Asia's strategic importance as a region of connectivity, trade corridors, energy networks and maritime routes. A functional SAARC could provide member states with greater collective bargaining power and strategic autonomy, enabling them to pursue national interests without becoming overly dependent on external actors. Revitalised regional cooperation would also enhance economic resilience and allow coordinated responses to shared challenges. 

Obstacles to SAARC's revival

Persistent India-Pakistan political tensions remain a major obstacle to reviving SAARC. Yet both states actively cooperate in other international forums such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, demonstrating that strategic rivalry does not entirely preclude regional engagement.

Also read: As SAARC Approaches Ten Years Without a Summit, Whither Regional Cooperation in South Asia?

Additional barriers include cross-border political interference, mistrust, disinformation and restrictive visa policies, all of which undermine regional confidence. South Asian media also bears responsibility, as sensationalism and misinformation often weaken regional understanding.

Building trust

To overcome these challenges, South Asia must expand people-to-people connectivity through academic exchanges, business collaboration, civil society engagement, journalism, cultural diplomacy, sports diplomacy and tourism. Easing visa restrictions for scholars, professionals and civil society actors could create a “soft window” for regional integration and rebuild trust through Track II diplomacy.

Economic cooperation should also be prioritised as a strategic tool for reducing political tensions. The example of China and India, where substantial trade continues despite strategic rivalry, shows that economic interdependence can coexist with political disagreements. A similar approach could be applied across the region. 

Bangladesh's catalytic role

The time has come to revitalise South Asian regionalism. Bangladesh, with its longstanding commitment to regional cooperation and democratic development, is well positioned to play a catalytic role in reviving SAARC. By promoting political dialogue, economic integration and soft diplomacy, it can help reopen pathways toward a peaceful and prosperous South Asia.

Ultimately, SAARC’s revival depends not solely on Bangladesh’s leadership but on the collective political will of all member states. In the meantime, Bangladesh can continue to play a constructive role by keeping channels of regional engagement open, advocating for dialogue and gradually building consensus around practical areas of cooperation that can sustain the spirit of regionalism. With renewed political commitment, regional cooperation can once again become a transformative force for the region's future.

Israfil Khosru is Special Assistant to the Chairperson’s Foreign Advisory Committee, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). 

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