Regional Cooperation In South Asia Research Articles

Assessing the trade–connectivity linkages in South Asia in post-pandemic period: an empirical investigation

The study unravels the relationship between trade and connectivity and presents a narrative to re-energise the South Asian regional economic integration in the post-pandemic period. In addition, the study also examines the effect on conflicts and institutional factors in South Asian trade. The study uses the bilateral gravity analysis in 2SLS (Two-Stage Least Squares) framework to address the endogeneity issues. The study finds that South Asia may gain enormously if they reduce the conflicts across the border and secure improvement in both hard and soft infrastructure. Given that the trade is a dynamic concept, connectivity disruption costs cause havoc to the region, which then promotes dis-integration. Facilitating business beyond the border in post-pandemic requires an enhanced trade facilitation and connectivity in the region. The renewed and shared agenda of the South Asian regional cooperation in post-pandemic should, therefore, aim to reduce both intra- and inter- regional trade facilitation gaps as well as to expand the connectivity. The process of South Asian regional integration has to contribute to narrowing the gaps by providing resources for the development of trade infrastructure. Therefore, South Asia has to enhance its own connectivity and trade facilitation arrangement to take forward the agenda of South Asian integration.

Evaluating the Impact of Cross Border Tourism and People to People Contact on the Regional Cooperation in South Asia: A Study of India and Bangladesh

ABSTRACT In these early decades of the 21st century, one of the most severe difficulties facing citizens worldwide is the task of peacefully coexisting with others in all spheres of personal and public life. This study explores whether cross-border tourism enhances the regional cooperation between the two South Asian countries of India and Bangladesh. The mediating role of people-to-people contact is also investigated. A total of 265 completed questionnaire sets, using convenient sampling, were collected through an online survey. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) approach were used to put the suggested model through its steps and provide empirical support for the hypotheses. The results indicate that the expansion of cross-border tourism, bilateral trade, and people-to-people contact between India and Bangladesh has a favorable effect on their cross-border cooperation. The findings also show that cooperation between the countries is attributed to people-to-people contact in combination with cross-border tourism. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is an introductory study to uncover the vital significance of cross-border tourism in bridging the nations through cross-border tourism by incorporating people-to-people contact. The findings have ramifications for policymakers, planners, and government authorities attempting to enhance people-to-people communication for improved diplomatic connections.

Educational achievements and export earnings: a comparison between leader and follower countries

PurposeThis study examines whether education in developing countries directly impacts their foreign income from the top export sector.Design/methodology/approachAs most developing countries follow developed nations to shape their development, this study assumes developing countries as education-follower and developed countries as education-leader countries. Considering selected countries from the South Asian Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and African countries as follower countries and Group of Seven (G7) as leader countries, this study employs Dumitrescu-Hurlin Granger non-causality tests.FindingsThis study finds that education-follower countries' achievements do not directly impact foreign earnings from their leading export sectors. However, findings also confirm that leader countries have a bidirectional causal relationship between tertiary education and earnings from high technology exports.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study urging research-intensive education with comparative advantages in international trade. Using educational attainment on export earnings from the leading sector, findings support dependency theory in education is still existed.

“One Belt One Road” Initiative of China: Promotion of Bi/Multilateral Regional Cooperation in South Asia

The concept of “One Belt One Road” is initiated by People’s Republic of China which could be a foundational basis of development in the region. The ideas reflected in the presentations of an international seminar, entitled “Exploring Issues on Trans Himalayan Cooperation”, organized by Trans Himalayan Research Centre (THRC) of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FOHSS) at Tribhuvan University (TU) on 21 May 2016. Based on the presentations of scholars from Nepal, China and Korea this paper, based on the presentations of the seminar, further argues that the One Belt One Road initiative will not only be “Connecting the peoples along the One Belt One Road routes” but also promoting multilateral regional cooperation in future strengthening South Asian regional cooperation. It eventually promotes Bi/Multilateral Regional Cooperation in South Asia taking into consideration that connectivity is key that connects different regions within and outside nations. However, connectivity alone is not enough and there is necessary to develop corridor to contribute economic development of country. It is therefore necessary to promote various kinds of bi/multilateral regional cooperation for the development of Trans Himalaya region of South Asia.

Regional integration and environmental sustainability during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from South Asia.

South Asia, a sub‐region with nearly a third of the world's population living in extreme poverty and hunger, has been affected by the COVID‐19 pandemic in an unprecedented way. The pandemic has undermined the progress achieved by the subregion towards attaining sustainable development goals. This study argues that fostering environmental sustainability in the South Asian region is crucial to “Building Back Better” while taking cognisance of future climate‐related risks. With the low level of preparedness, the collapse of global supply chains, and restrictive regional integration, the individual country in the region lacks the fiscal and technical capacity to implement sustainable development goals effectively. Therefore, based on the analytical approach to regional integration, this paper explores the potential role of regional integration in ensuring environmental sustainability in South Asia. Additionally, this study illustrates how the COVID‐19 pandemic has affected several environmental aspects at the regional level, such as clean energy, disaster risk reduction, and waste management, and shows how regional cooperation can address these challenges post pandemic. While previous studies mainly focus on regional integration in the European Union, this study targets the crucial importance of regional cooperation in South Asia in achieving environmental sustainability.

Neo-Realist Paradigm and the Fragile State of Regional Cooperation in South Asia: Prospects and Challenges

Regionalism is a process of regional cooperation amongst the countries sharing a common border, common values, homogeneity of culture, and common vested interests. While the western world adopted this paradigm early after World War II in the form of the EU, South Asian Region is still deprived of such models. The establishment of SAARC in 1985 by the efforts of the late Bangladeshi President Zia-ur-Rahman although raised certain hopes of regional connectivity in South Asia still the fate of this region lingers in the sky. While using secondary sources of data collection, this paper tries to attempt the underlying challenges and the palpable prospects responsible for the better integration of this region. It further analyses the failed regional cooperation and the role of India under the assumption of the Neo-Realist Paradigm of Kenneth Waltz that emerged in late 1970.

From South Asia to the world: embracing the challenge of global sustainable nitrogen management

From South Asia to the world: embracing the challenge of global sustainable nitrogen management

Regional Cooperation in South Asia: Exploring the Three Pillars of Regionalism and their Relevance

The lofty ideals penned by the heads of the South Asian states at the birth of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) reflect a vision for promoting mutual trust and understanding in South Asia. But the member states have fallen into the intricate web of power balancing games, fluctuating economic growth and volatile ethnic and religious conditions that has marred the potential gains from regionalism. In such a scenario, while SAARCs snail-like progress continues without any remarkable achievements, there has been a rise of new regional organizations that has not only renewed our attention towards economic liberalization and the benefits accrued from multilateral economic cooperation but has also put into question the fundamentals of regionalism. The paper situates regionalism in acts of cooperation that are not isolated and discrete from each other but rather form a pattern of interconnecting expectations about the future of the alliance and the assumptions on legitimate activities. The paper argues that regionalism is a multi-faceted task and involves political harmony, economic interdependence and common identity as the three pillars. But regionalism in South Asia encourages economic interdependence and proscribes political integration and common values and norms. As a result, the attempts at regionalism in South Asia are conceptually narrow, limited in agenda and inadequate to address the issues of regional peace and security.

Challenges to Regional Cooperation in South Asia: An Overview

The devastating effects of the Second World War significantly affected states, their resources and the overall balance of peace. As a result, states began to search for a new model that would not only promote and expand trade but would also contribute to world peace. Since the 1980s there has been an increase in regional cooperative projects all over the world. The concept of regional cooperation revolves around the idea that states in a shared geographical space cooperate with each other in order to achieve goals that go beyond the capacity of individual national attainment. Regional cooperation eventually found its place in South Asia. As a result, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established in 1985 and the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement came into force in 2006. Despite these mechanisms, regional cooperation remained relatively low. Both economic and non-economic factors are responsible for this situation. Factors that range from tariff and non-tariff barriers to physical connectivity to asymmetric power relations and security concerns have served as obstacles to achieve regional cooperation in South Asia. In order to overcome these barriers, South Asian states must maintain flexibility in dealing with highly political issues in order to make way for regional growth and economic development.

Managing the refugee crises in South Asia: The role of SAARC

South Asia is home to roughly three million refugees and their long-term presence brings enormous challenges. South Asia’s history of colonialism, low economic development, and intra- and inter-state conflicts have contributed to the large-scale refugee movement and the lack of capacity to address the problem. This article examines the history, current activity and potential for regional cooperation in South Asia to address the issue. The article focuses particularly on the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, the structure and culture of the organization and the likelihood of it addressing the politically complex issue of forced migration.

Electricity trade and cooperation in the BBIN region: lessons from global experience

ABSTRACT The acute shortage of electric power in South Asia has severely hampered regional economic growth. Cross-border electricity trade – supported by appropriate policies, institutions and grid interconnections – can be a powerful tool for improving people’s livelihoods in its Bangladesh–Bhutan–India–Nepal (BBIN) region. This paper reviews four cases of regional power trade and cooperation from four different continents – Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe – and identifies six key elements that will be necessary for success in cross-border electricity trade in the BBIN region. It assesses the current status of these key elements in the BBIN countries and suggests areas for immediate intervention. Cooperation in the electricity sector in the region could be the building block for a larger regional cooperation in South Asia – and ultimately for regional economic integration.

Emerging powers, soft power, and future of regional cooperation in South Asia

ABSTRACTThis article looks into the future of regional cooperation in South Asia in the light of two emerging powers: China and India focussing on how their rise would change the relationship in the region. The paper argues that China and India both are trying to enhance their spheres of influence forcing the states in the region to align with either of them in a binary framework of unstable equilibrium and uneasy coexistence rather than reinforcing the regional solidarity of SAARC. Such a competition between China and India and the putative interventionary efforts of Western powers and their agencies in the region are bound to bring implications of profound value for not just regional cooperation but for the individual destinies of the various states involved in the days ahead.

Water diplomacy as an approach to regional cooperation in South Asia: A case from the Brahmaputra basin

The Yarlung Zangbo-Brahmaputra – Jamuna river basin (further referred to as Brahmaputra River Basin) is one of the most important river systems in South Asia. It originates on the Tibetan Plateau and links Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, and India. Despite being an important river system of South Asia, with an immense potential for regional development, very little progress has been made so far at regional level to manage this transboundary river. Apart from stereotypical upstream-downstream syndromes, a lack of trust, an atmosphere of hostility, and an asymmetric information and power situation as also the absence of regional principles or frameworks make transboundary interaction between the Brahmaputra riparian countries complex and challenging. The lack of information and knowledge regarding the river itself makes decision-making further complicated. Negotiation for a basin-wide treaty on cooperation in the absence of trust is a non-starter for the Brahmaputra basin, for it may result in asymmetric cooperation, opening up ground for future conflicts. To avoid such asymmetric cooperation, information-rich, multilateral informal dialogues need to take place to develop an accepted definition of cooperation, which meets the needs of all riparian states.The article provides an outline of the current issues in the Brahmaputra river basin and illustrates the need for multitrack and multi-stakeholder dialogues in the Brahmaputra region. The paper is inspired by the ‘Brahmaputra Dialogue’ project initiated in 2013, that demonstrates that water diplomacy has to be an inclusive, open, and transparent process involving multiple actors, because such interaction facilitates sustainable water cooperation, not only between riparian countries but also between riparian communities.

Climate change, regulatory policies and regional cooperation in South Asia

Purpose With climate change and environmental degradation being major issues in the world today, it is imperative for governments within a regional setting to collaborate on initiatives, harmonize their policies and develop strategies to counter threats. In South Asia, several attempts have been made to create a common framework for action in implementing synchronized policies. However, both political and technical deterrents have thwarted moves to accommodate priorities and interests of collaborating states. The purpose of this paper is to assess these issues and existing policies/strategies in selected South Asian countries and evaluate integrated plans of action based on collaborative partnerships. Design/methodology/approach Using a broad exploratory and interpretive approach, this paper evaluates how harmonization of environmental principles and synergies among countries can help reduce the effect of climate change and environmental hazards. Based on a review of ideas and concepts as well as both primary and secondary sources, including official records, legislation, inter-state and regional agreements, evaluation reports, impact studies (social, economic and ecological), and commentaries, it highlights several initiatives and processes geared to creating environmental protection standards and practices for the South Asian region. Findings Climate change has resulted in devastating impacts on people. It contributed to the proliferation of climate refugees and high incidence of poverty in South Asia. The region faces both political and technical obstacles in developing a sustainable approach to combat climate change. This is exacerbated by non-availability of information as well as reluctance to acknowledge the problem by key actors. The best strategy will be to integrate policies and regulations in the various countries of the region to develop strategic plans. The approach of prevention and protection should replace the existing emphasis on relief and rehabilitation. Originality/value The paper provides a critical overview of the climatic and environmental problems encountered in the South Asian region and provides pointers to resolving shared problems through the use of policy instruments for regulating the problems within the gamut of regional environmental governance. It attempts to identify solutions to offset regulatory and institutional barriers in achieving preferred results by emphasizing the need for redesigning regulatory structures and policy approaches for ecological well-being.

Latency of Afghanistan-SAARC Merchandise Trade Relation: An Economic Evaluation

Focusing on the analysis of South Asia Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) trade, the study attempts to analyze the merchandise trade performance of Afghanistan with SAARC region by employing the RCA, RID and TII over a time period of nine years from 2008-2016. A brief analysis of trade baskets of SAARC countries shows that trade of Afghanistan relies heavily on the SAARC countries especially on the imports from India and Pakistan. The growing intensity of trade between Afghanistan and Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Srilanka reflects an alteration in the trade scenario of SAARC region. With every passing year from 2008- 2016, the trend intensity has amplified, thus confirming the growing trade relations among the economies. On the evaluation of RCA and RID of Afghanistan against Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Srilanka, the export and import baskets are less relatively diversified for Afghanistan. Afghan economy is still an agricultural driven economy and the analysis of SAARC region’s, through revealed comparative advantage index, finds that Afghanistan has trade comparative advantage in agricultural commodities and the manufacturing base is missing. The study makes a set of implications that given its overriding size, human resources, and aspirations for a global role; Afghanistan will have to take on a disproportionately larger responsibility for endorsing regional cooperation in South Asia. Adjoining governments will have to respond confidently to Afghan initiatives for successful regional incorporation in South Asia.

Cooperation is What India Makes of It – A Normative Inquiry into the Origins and Development of Regional Cooperation in South Asia and the Indian Ocean

ABSTRACTSuccessful multilateral economic, political or security cooperation as best exemplified by organizations such as the EU or ASEAN invites the question why comparable organizations have never been established in South Asia and the Indian Ocean Rim, two geo-strategically important world regions. This article foregoes political-realist arguments and offers an alternative explanation for the failure of regional multilateralism in those two regions by using the social-constructivist framework of norm localization. This framework, based upon third-generation norm diffusion, provides a new analytical toolbox for analysing the general puzzle why one region may accept a particular norm while rejecting another. Arguing the case for the existence of a special South Asian regional variation of multilateralism which is termed ‘Panchsheel-multilateralism’, the article examines the process of the localization of the global norm regional multilateralism and analyses how this norm became institutionalized in the form of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). The main argument of the article is that the global norm of regional multilateralism has been localized into a principally Indian influenced model of multilateralism, based on the latter’s cognitive prior. Consequently, there has virtually never been room for any genuine multilateral cooperation, while tangible cooperative results are found in the bilateral domain only.

SAARC AS A TOOL OF REGIONALISM IN SOUTH ASIA: LESSONS FROM ASEAN

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as a regional economic grouping in South Asia has not emerged as a viable and an efficient regional block such as the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Despite taking several initiatives in this regard, it has not achieved the desired objectives set forth at the time of its establishment. Over thirty years, it has become hostage to the Pakistan-India adversarial relationship. Through interviews with key informants (KIs), this article investigates the causes for the lack of momentum of SAARC and explores how ASEAN's path might offer lessons for SAARC. Adopting qualitative methods and content analysis this research finds the dominance of the Pakistan-India conflictual relationship as the key reason for the relative weakness of the SAARC. Moreover, the lack of implementation of SAARC declarations, conflicting issues between India and other neighbouring countries and the strict SAARC visa regime are important barriers to the enhancement of regional co-operation in South Asia. The article recommends that SAARC countries follow the ASEAN model and focus on the augmentation of regional cooperation while managing bilateral conflicts between them. In this regard, Pakistan and India, being the largest economies in South Asia, should also perform a role in enhancing bilateral economic cooperation to avoid the potential for bilateral conflict. The article also finds that bilateral economic co-operation between Pakistan and India has a spillover effect on the enhancement of regional economic cooperation in South Asia. Keywords: Regionalism, SAARC, ASEAN, Pakistan-India, regional economic cooperation

SAARC for Geopolitical Symbolism

Unlike its other counterparts, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as the first of its kind experiment at regional integration in South Asia has almost reached a point of stagnation. The idea that was flagged off in 1985 has not delivered significant returns either as a forum to enhance intra-regional trade or as an institutional platform for conflict management and dialogue. This article argues that the SAARC as an idea has not been seen more than a geopolitical symbol of regional cooperation in South Asia. As global power pivots towards Asia, a stable and integrated South Asia could well be a game changer. However, the regional organisation has not been able to embody the spirit of multilateralism and remains on the sidelines, marred by long-standing bilateral issues. States in South Asia are either looking beyond the region or investing in subregional initiatives to further their interests.

Economic Implications of Deeper South Asian–Southeast Asian Integration: A CGE Approach

Using a computable general equilibrium model, this paper estimates the potential gains from deepening integration across South Asia and Southeast Asia. If the two regions succeed in dropping inter-regional tariffs, reducing non-tariff barriers by 50 percent, and decreasing inter-regional trade costs by 15 percent—which the paper suggests are ambitious but nevertheless attainable—welfare in South Asia and Southeast Asia would rise by 8.9 percent and 6.4 percent of GDP, respectively, by 2030. Hence, we conclude that deepening South Asian regional cooperation together with building links to Southeast Asia would pay off rich dividends.

From Idealism to Pragmatism: India and Asian Regional Integration

AbstractAfter being at the periphery for decades, India's proactive engagement with East and Southeast Asia has gradually transformed it into an active participant in Asian regional organizations and multilateral processes. This paper examines early Indian attempts at forging pan-Asian unity and assesses the motivations and impact of its Look East Policy. It evaluates India's changing role towards regional cooperation in South Asia and sub-regional groupings, the impact of domestic politics, and discusses how China has influenced Indian perceptions and strategy towards Asian regionalism. After a long gap, India is again contributing ideas on Asian integration and stresses that the broader East Asian integration process should remain open and inclusive.