The recent escalation between India and Pakistan, marked by cross-border attacks, drone combat, and atomic warnings, has significantly destabilized South Asia.

According to SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, this heightened instability underscores the critical absence of a functioning diplomatic platform like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Had SAARC remained active after its 2014 summit, it could have provided a vital mechanism for de-escalation, potentially averting the current crisis.

SAARC has a history of mediating conflicts between member states, particularly India and Pakistan. Summits have served as crucial opportunities for dialogue, such as the 1998 Colombo Summit, which facilitated the Lahore Agreement, and the 2002 Kathmandu Summit, which eased military standoffs after the Kargil conflict. Without such forums, communication breakdowns often escalate into public accusations, hindering dialogue and collaborative efforts to address regional concerns.

A fully functional SAARC could have fostered economic interdependence, mitigating the 2025 crisis. The South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), if fully implemented, could have boosted intra-regional commerce, currently at a stagnant 5% of South Asia”s global trade. Increased economic ties could have created business interests invested in maintaining peace, thereby discouraging conflict.

Despite calls for its revival from figures like S. Jaishankar and Dr. Muhammad Yunus, SAARC remains largely dormant. While member states maintain representation at the Kathmandu Secretariat, the organization”s inactivity raises questions about the political commitment to regional cooperation.

This inertia hinders progress on shared development goals in a region where approximately half of the nearly two billion population lives in poverty. SAARC”s potential to address critical issues such as trade, health, education, and connectivity remains unrealized, depriving the region of numerous benefits.

SAARC”s strength lies in fostering trust through initiatives like student exchanges, shared markets, and coordinated disaster relief. A more robust SAARC could expand initiatives like the SAARC Development Fund, which has supported health clinics and food banks in underserved areas.

Increased people-to-people contact, facilitated by measures like a common SAARC tourist visa and expanded flight networks, would further strengthen regional ties. Currently, restrictive visa policies and limited flight options hinder movement and exchange within South Asia.

While signed agreements exist in various sectors, action is needed. Simplified travel regulations, affordable transportation, and business-friendly border policies would bring immediate advantages. The potential of SAARC, a homegrown initiative designed to address the region’s unique needs, remains untapped. Its revival is essential for peace, opportunity, and regional prosperity.