Islamabad:
Pakistan and China are working on a proposal to establish a new regional organization which could potentially replace the South Asian association now disappeared for regional cooperation (SAARC).
The discussions between Islamabad and Beijing are now at an advanced stage because the two parties are convinced that a new organization needs the time 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 one of these diplomatic maneuvers.
The meeting present by higher diplomats from three countries was the first of its kind that raised eyebrows in India.
The ultimate goal of the meeting in Kunming on June 19 was to invite other countries of South Asia, which were part of Saarc, to join the new group.
India, according to sources, would be invited to the new proposed forum, but taking into account its divergent interests, it is unlikely that it will respond positively.
Nevertheless, other countries, including Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Afghanistan, to name only a few, should be part of the group.
The main objective of the new organization is to seek a greater regional commitment thanks to improved trade and connectivity.
If the proposal materializes, Saarc, which was once nicknamed the European Union (EU) of South Asia, would still be dead.
Saarc could not achieve his declared goals because he remained hostage to the contradictory links between Pakistan and India.
The regional group lastly held its summit a decade ago. Pakistan was to welcome the summit in 2016, but India boycotted the meeting in Islamabad. The Bangladesh, which was at the time led by the pro-Indian Sheikh Hasina Wajid, also joined New Delhi to stay far from the summit.
Since then, no serious effort has been made to relaunch the organization, although Pakistan wanted to welcome the summit.
Recently, Saarc was treated in another fatal stroke when India has withdrawn from offering special visas under the organization to Pakistani businessmen after the attack on Pahalgam.
Pakistan and China discussed the proposal of the new organization for months and came to the conclusion that countries sharing the same ideas should join the hands for a better future.
India, according to observers, because of its divergent interests, is in other regional groups such as Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Prime Minister Narendra Modi jumped the last two SCO summits. The security alliance of 10 members includes China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan and certain Central Asian States.
The presence of China and Russia often calls SCO as a regional block to challenge the West. However, India in recent years seems to be in contradiction with the SCO agenda.
