Q.8. The failure of ‘SAARC’ forced India to strengthen ‘BIMSTEC’. Explain.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has faced significant challenges that have impeded its effectiveness as a regional cooperative body, particularly due to political tensions and disagreements between India and Pakistan. The failure of SAARC to achieve its aspirations of regional integration, especially after the indefinite suspension of the 19th summit scheduled in Pakistan in 2016, has led to a search for alternative platforms for regional cooperation.

India’s shift from SAARC to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) can be attributed to several factors:

• Political Deadlock in SAARC: The political rivalry between India and Pakistan has often resulted in a deadlock within SAARC, making it difficult to progress on various initiatives and agreements, such as the SAARC–Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) and the proposed SAARC satellite project.

• Strategic Interest: India’s ‘Act East Policy’ aligns with BIMSTEC’s objectives, as it serves as a nexus between South Asia and Southeast Asia. Strengthening BIMSTEC allows India to counter China’s influence in the region and to extend its strategic reach.

• Economic and Technical Cooperation: BIMSTEC, which includes nations around the Bay of Bengal, offers a platform for multi-sectoral technical and economic cooperation that is more focused on the economic development of member states.

• Geopolitical Considerations: The strengthening of BIMSTEC is also seen as a strategic move by India to maintain its influence in the region, as the effectiveness of SAARC has been questioned due to its limited success in fostering regional cooperation.

In conclusion, the challenges within SAARC have indeed prompted India to invest more in BIMSTEC, viewing it as a more viable and strategically advantageous platform for regional cooperation and integration.