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Maldives urges restart of SAARC, but India Pakistan tensions loom
The Maldives said its president is willing to mediate to bring SAARC members back to negotiations, with the last meeting dating to 12 years ago.
The Maldives has called for restarting the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, which has been suspended for more than a decade, according to observers cited by SCMP Economy.
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said on July 26 that the country is ready to help resume SAARC meetings and described the bloc as important for peace and stability in the region, adding that the Maldives stands ready to serve as a mediator to return member states to the negotiating table.
SCMP Economy also reports that the last SAARC meeting was held 12 years ago. The grouping includes India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
The outlet said reviving SAARC is likely to face resistance given tensions between India and Pakistan, and it noted that Bangladesh made a similar call last month, arguing that revitalizing SAARC would unlock economic potential, boost regional connectivity, and address shared cross border challenges.