ASEAN AND SAARC: THE IMPERATIVES OF COOPERATION

This article explores the imperatives and potential for greater inter-regional cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). It provides a comparative analysis of the two regional organizations, highlighting ASEAN's relative success in fostering economic integration and political dialogue in contrast to the more limited achievements of SAARC. The study argues that despite their different levels of institutionalization, there is a strong rationale for closer engagement between the two blocs, which together represent a vast and dynamic part of Asia. The research identifies potential areas for cooperation, including trade and investment linkages, the development of trans-regional transport corridors, and collaboration on non-traditional security challenges. The paper concludes by advocating for the establishment of a formal institutional dialogue between the ASEAN and SAARC secretariats to explore and advance a concrete agenda for cooperation.

As Asia entered an era of growing economic dynamism and interdependence, the prospect of cooperation between its two main regional organizations, ASEAN and SAARC, became a subject of increasing interest. This paper examines the compelling imperatives for such an inter-regional partnership. The analysis begins with a comparative institutional assessment, contrasting the "ASEAN way" of consensus-building and informal networking with the more formal, and often-stalled, processes of SAARC. The core of the article is an exploration of the potential synergies between the two regions. It argues that the rapidly growing economies of Southeast Asia could provide a vital new market and a source of investment for the countries of South Asia. The paper also discusses the potential for linking the two regions through new transport infrastructure, creating a more integrated "Look East" corridor for South Asia. Beyond economics, the study identifies shared non-traditional security challenges, such as terrorism, drug trafficking, and marine environmental protection, where joint approaches and the sharing of best practices could be highly beneficial. The findings suggest that while significant political and logistical hurdles remain, the potential benefits of ASEAN-SAARC cooperation are immense. The paper concludes with a call to move beyond rhetoric and to establish a structured, official dialogue process to begin the practical work of building bridges between these two vital, yet largely disconnected, regions of Asia.