India alarmed as Pakistan, China move to replace SAARC with new regional bloc

Pakistan and China have moved forward with plans to form a new regional bloc, aimed at replacing the long-dormant South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), in a development that could substantially reduce India’s influence in the region.

According to reports, the proposed bloc would include key South Asian countries and is being shaped through ongoing diplomatic engagements. A recent meeting involving representatives from Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh took place in Kunming, China, to discuss the initiative.

The idea of forming a new regional platform has reportedly caused concern in India, as officials from the three participating countries convened on June 19 to evaluate its framework and prospects. While India is expected to receive an invitation to join, it is unlikely to respond positively.

Other South Asian countries, including Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Afghanistan, are expected to participate, with the possibility of additional members joining in the future.

Read: India refuses to sign SCO joint statement after Pahalgam incident left out

SAARC, established in 1985, has faced setbacks over the past decade, becoming largely inactive due to political tensions, particularly those stemming from India.

The group has not held a summit since 2014, and the last attempt in 2016 was boycotted by India, with Bangladesh also withdrawing in support of New Delhi.

The proposed bloc aims to promote regional cooperation, economic integration, and political dialogue, goals that SAARC has struggled to achieve.

If the initiative succeeds, it could render SAARC obsolete, even symbolically, as a China-backed alliance with Pakistan and Bangladesh at its core emerges as a dominant force in South Asia.

The discussions for the new bloc have been ongoing for several months and have now reached an advanced stage, indicating that a formal structure could be announced in the near future.

India, despite its growing economic and strategic weight, has recently faced diplomatic setbacks.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), led by China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asian states, recently declined to endorse India’s narrative on the Pahalgam incident involving Pakistan.

Observers believe the emergence of a new regional bloc could further isolate New Delhi diplomatically and challenge its traditional influence in South Asia.