BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

SUB-REGIONAL COOPERATION IN SOUTH ASIA: ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Author: Saddam Hosen

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2019v40n3a4

ABSTRACT

Sub-regional cooperation is a nascent phenomenon in South Asia. Significant sub-regional cooperation frameworks in South Asia include the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC), the Bay of Bengal Initive for Multi- Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), the South Asian Growth Quadrangle (SAGQ) initiative and the Bangladesh, Bhutan, Inida, Nepal (BBIN) initiative. The objective of sub-regional cooperation is to ensure proper institutional mechanism in order to boost the quality of development particularly in sectors such as economic and connectivity among the member countries. The current trend of sub-regional cooperation proves that state’s political will and efforts have increased regarding sub-regional cooperation in South Asia. Although, most of the goals and targets remain on paper as they are facing crucial challenges such as bilateral disputes, leadership crisis, lack of good governance, implementation problem, etc. Given this context, the paper will investigate two key questions. First, why sub-regional process of cooperation has not been effective in South Asia? Second, what are the factors that can boost the sustainability of sub-regional cooperation in South Asia and how? The paper advocates that the member states of sub-regional groups should act as soon as possible to implement the plans, programmes and activities that they have adopted and undertake concerted efforts toward sustainable solution.