ISSI hosts roundtable discussion 'Prospects and Challenges of Regional Cooperation in South Asia'

KATHMANDU: The India Study Centre (ISC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organised a roundtable discussion titled 'Prospects and Challenges of Regional Cooperation in South Asia' with Ambassador Golam Sarwar, Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), on Tuesday.

During the discussion, participants highlighted the importance of SAARC for the region. It was noted that SAARC is an organisation centred around people. The participants focused on SAARC's pivotal role in addressing a myriad of common challenges faced by member states, such as food insecurity, population growth, natural disasters, and deficient intra-regional trade and connectivity. Among other things, the organisation currently envisions a 'SAARC Youth Charter', which will help promote cultural cooperation among the youth of member states.

The participants emphasised the need to improve the implementation of SAARC’s decisions, strengthen economic cooperation and trade, and deepen regional integration and connectivity. They shared their perspectives on the progress made by SAARC so far and suggested ways to revitalise the SAARC process to make it a viable platform for regional cooperation.

The participants underscored the need to resolve long-standing disputes and reduce bilateral tensions as a means of creating an environment conducive to regional cooperation.

The Chairman of the ISSI Board of Governors (BoG), Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, made concluding remarks in the discussion.

The event was attended by diplomats, academics, practitioners, and researchers from various Islamabad-based think tanks and universities.

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