Dhaka seeks renewed trust to revitalise SAARC

Dhaka has called for a renewed and pragmatic effort to revitalise the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), arguing that rebuilding political trust among member states is essential if the region is to realise its vast economic, strategic and developmental potential.

Speaking at a seminar titled “Rebuilding Trust, Renewing Regional Integration: Pathways for Revitalising SAARC” organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) on Monday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said South Asia remained one of the least integrated regions in the world despite its immense human, cultural and economic strengths.

“We meet at a time when regional cooperation is gaining renewed importance across the world. Regions are becoming more connected, more economically interdependent and more conscious of the need to address common challenges together,” she said.

“Yet South Asia, despite its immense human, cultural, economic and strategic potential, remains far less integrated than it should be. South Asia is geographically close, historically connected and culturally rich, but politically fragmented and economically under-integrated.”

The State Minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s longstanding commitment to regional cooperation and highlighted the importance of revitalising SAARC as a platform founded in 1985 and pioneered by late President Ziaur Rahman for promoting peace, stability, economic prosperity and sustainable development across South Asia.

She stressed that renewed regional dialogue and stronger institutional cooperation were indispensable for addressing shared challenges and unlocking the region’s vast economic and strategic opportunities.
“There is no denying that SAARC has faced serious difficulties.

The summit process has remained stalled. Political trust has been weak. Regional integration has not reached its expected level,” she said.

According to Shama Obaed, SAARC’s stagnation over the past decade and a half has been driven by a combination of political and institutional factors.

“SAARC has been affected by political mistrust, unresolved bilateral disputes, cross-border tensions, power asymmetry and competing security perceptions,” she said. “Longstanding India-Pakistan tensions have made consensus difficult and have often slowed regional initiatives.”

She noted that bilateral disputes had repeatedly undermined the organisation’s momentum, resulting in what she described as “a story of missed opportunities” for South Asia.

The State Minister argued that trust must be placed at the centre of any revival strategy.
“Trust is the foundation of regional integration,” she said. “Without trust, connectivity becomes difficult, trade remains limited and even technical cooperation becomes vulnerable to political tension.”

However, she emphasised that trust-building need not begin with major political breakthroughs.

“Trust can also be built gradually through practical cooperation,” she said, pointing to areas such as disease surveillance, customs facilitation, climate adaptation, flood early-warning systems, disaster preparedness and people-to-people exchanges.

While the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) remains operational in legal and administrative terms, she said its potential has been constrained by non-tariff barriers, sensitive lists, customs delays, weak logistics networks, inadequate standards harmonisation and persistent political tensions.

Instead of waiting for ideal political conditions, Bangladesh favours a gradual and functional approach to reviving the regional bloc.

“As an initial step in the revitalisation process, Bangladesh would like to see SAARC operate at an optimal functional level until the regional environment becomes fully conducive for full political and summit-level revival,” she said.

“All member states may not be ready to join every initiative at the same time, but where several members are ready to cooperate, they should be able to move forward while keeping the door open for others,” she said.

About her engagement with representatives of SAARC countries, she said, “I have spoken to all the member states separately and all of them were very positive about the revival of SAARC.” “Now it is about time that we put our wishes and our intent into action.”

She also reiterated the importance of keeping SAARC free from bilateral disputes.
“The SAARC Charter already provides that bilateral and contentious issues should not be brought into SAARC deliberations. This principle must be reaffirmed,” she said.

“The objective should be to ensure that bilateral tensions do not paralyse every form of regional cooperation.”

Addressing questions about the relationship between SAARC and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Shama said, “Bangladesh does not need to choose between SAARC and BIMSTEC.” “These platforms should complement each other, not compete with each other.”

Concluding her remarks, the State Minister described Bangladesh’s approach to SAARC as both “hopeful and realistic”.

“We do not pretend that SAARC can return to full political normalcy overnight. At the same time, we do not accept the idea that nothing can be done,” she said.

“SAARC is waiting for wise leadership, practical cooperation and renewed confidence. Bangladesh is ready to contribute to that confidence,” she said.

At the seminar, Ambassador Tariq A. Karim, Adviser, Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies, Independent University, and Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow, Institute of South Asia Studies, National University of Singapore presented a keynote paper.

The seminar also featured a panel discussion comprising Professor Dr. Niloy Ranjan Biswas, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, and Md. Shamsul Haque, Former Additional Foreign Secretary (SAARC and BIMSTEC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, and Chief Executive Officer, Coders Trust Bangladesh.

Major General ASM Ridwanur Rahman, Director General, BIISS, delivered the welcome address and chaired the seminar.