Maldives’ plea to restart South Asian bloc hits India-Pakistan brick wall

The Maldives recently called to revive a South Asian grouping, which has been suspended for over a decade. But given the tensions between two of the most influential countries in that region – India and Pakistan – that request is likely to go unheeded, according to observers.Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said on July 26 that his country was ready to help resume the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) meetings. The last one was held 12 years ago.Describing the bloc as an important regional organisation, Muizzu said reviving it was essential for peace and stability in the region. “The Maldives stands ready to serve as a mediator” to get Saarc member states to return to the negotiating table, he said.Tarique Rahman’s government in Bangladesh issued a similar call last month, saying the bloc’s revival was a core foreign policy priority. Dhaka argued that revitalising the Saarc would unlock untapped economic potential, boost regional connectivity and address shared transnational challenges.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during the 18th Saarc summit in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 26, 2014. Photo: APSaarc comprises India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.