The Potential of Reviving South Asian Regionalism: Whether Such Regionalism Can be Revived and Realised Using Existing Mechanisms
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/sajssh.2026.7304Keywords:
South Asia, Regionalism, South Asian Regionalism, SAARC, Bangladesh.Abstract
The paper presents a comprehensive analysis of whether regionalism in South Asia can be revived with the current mechanisms in place, with a particular focus on the potential reignition of SAARC as an entity. The methodology employs a mixed-methods approach, combining both primary (KIIs and a structured general survey) and secondary data (articles, editorials, newspapers, etc.). The paper discusses the current reality of South Asian regionalism while highlighting impediments to regional integration, including mutual distrust among countries, bilateral disputes, cross-border infiltration of terrorist elements, and defunct trade and investment agreements. The findings suggest that there is hope for the revival of South Asian regionalism, especially by experienced veterans of Academia. However, less optimism about South Asian regionalism and SAARC was observed among relatively younger scholars/researchers. The general survey yielded an equal split in support for and against South Asian regionalism. The research also explored whether South Asian regionalism can be realised on par with the efficiency of the EU and ASEAN, while also examining alternatives such as SASEC. An assessment of the expert interviews yielded pessimism about the revival of South Asian regionalism in the near future; however, the idea was not entirely shelved and was seen as having the potential for long-term collaboration.
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