New Delhi: The Maldivian president, Mohamed Muizzu, has called for the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc), urging member states to set aside differences and return to dialogue to advance peace and cooperation in the region. Muizzu also said the Maldives is prepared to play a mediating role to help overcome the deadlock that has stalled the regional grouping.
Addressing the country’s Independence Day ceremony on Sunday, marking 61 years of Maldives’ independence, Muizzu highlighted the need for greater regional engagement and peaceful resolution of disputes. He pointed to the prolonged impasse within Saarc and urged its members to return to the negotiating table in the broader interest of South Asia.
The Maldivian president’s remarks came amid renewed calls from within the region to revive Saarc and strengthen cooperation among its members. He said the Maldives was willing to facilitate dialogue between member states in an effort to break the current stalemate.
Muizzu also used the occasion, attended by 113 diplomats representing 43 countries and international organizations, to outline his government’s foreign policy priorities. He stressed the importance of resolving international disputes through peaceful dialogue and cooperation.
Meanwhile, the external affairs minister, S Jaishankar, extended greetings to the Maldivian foreign minister, Abdulla Khaleel, and the people of Maldives on the occasion of the country’s 61st Independence Day. The outreach comes as Male has renewed its call for reviving Saarc and strengthening regional cooperation.
Bangladesh pushes for stronger Saarc cooperation
The call from Male comes shortly after Bangladesh also backed efforts to deepen regional cooperation and address the gap between South Asia’s potential and its actual performance.
Bangladesh’s state minister for foreign affairs, Shama Obaed, said Saarc needs stronger implementation mechanisms, greater financial resources and more effective specialized institutions. She also emphasized the importance of ensuring that decisions taken within the grouping are followed through.
Obaed said Bangladesh was considering closer coordination with Saarc member states for convening a senior officials’ meeting and exploring the possibility of holding a special session of the council of ministers.
Saarc remains stalled
Saarc comprises eight South Asian countries – India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – and was established to promote regional cooperation, economic development and integration.
However, the grouping has remained largely inactive for years, with tensions between India and Pakistan emerging as a major obstacle to meaningful engagement. The Saarc summit process has remained stalled amid persistent concerns over Pakistan-linked cross-border terrorism and wider bilateral differences.
The latest calls from Maldives and Bangladesh could therefore add momentum to discussions over reviving the regional forum, although overcoming the political differences among member states remains a major challenge.