India pivots

It seems that the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has shifted its diplomatic focus to the Asean region, which has greater potential than Saarc. It has no regional conflict with any Asean countries and the avenues of trade and investment are more attractive there than what it finds in the crisis-ridden South Asian region.

New Delhi does not want to see Pakistan and the Maldives expand their trade ties or strengthen their interactions with the South East Asian nations, as Islamabad is its traditional rival. Likewise, India has also convinced its close neighbours to promote and enhance engagements with the Asean instead of indulging in endeavours of futility under the Saarc platform.

Guldar Ali Khan Wazir

Zhob