Understanding Maritime Connectivity in South Asia: The Role of Domestic and External Actors

Abstract

Why is it essential to have maritime connectivity in South Asia? How do domestic and external actors play a role to promote maritime cooperation between Bangladesh., India and Sri Lanka? This article pursues answer to these questions. It argues that there is growing maritime challenges in the South Asian region. Additionally 90 percent of South Asian trade depends on the sea. Hence, maritime trade contributes significantly to the South Asian economy and development. Consequently, securing the maritime area of the region is of paramount interest in South Asia. Additionally, there are vast untapped maritime resources that need to explored and exploited. For this South Asian maritime connectivity will be imperative enough. The article argues that the role of the domestic and external actors in building maritime connectivity in South Asia needs to be taken into consideration seriously for successful maritime connectivity in the region.