The lack of cooperation among South Asian states is probably the biggest obstacle that hinders the region’s ability to prosper. There is a need for regional cooperation because, in the age of globalization, the formation of regional alliances is considered as an impetus for global integration. Currently, South Asia is one of the most populous regions in the world with a total population of 1.721 billion (21% of the world’s total population). The region covers 3% of the world’s geographical area. South Asia has unlimited potential. To harness that potential, ensure cooperation and achieve durable peace and stability, the best strategy is to strengthen and reorganise South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
There are multiple venues available for cooperation and confidence building nowadays which can be explored for regional cooperation and integration for instance building trust, putting economics before politics, boosting up cultural cooperation and regional tourism, joint efforts to curb menaces such as drug trafficking, illegal cross border migration, and terrorism will help spur regional cooperation and make SAARC a much stronger and efficient organisation.
