A toolkit for the young diplomats

Sketch: TBS

The first time I heard that South Asia is one of the least integrated regions in the world in terms of trade and people-to-people contact, I was at a World Bank conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka. I thought to myself—Why? Since time immemorial, the region today defined as South Asia was interconnected; the people here share a common history and culture; and there is an immense opportunity for trade and commerce.

Yet, the region is fragmented, and the people-to-people connection is fraught with intense distrust.

The answer can perhaps be best found in former ambassador Tariq Ahmad Karim's The Tortuous Evolution of South Asian Regional Cooperation: Bangladesh's Travails for Sub-Regional Cooperation. He was a former ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States and the former high commissioner to India.

In this book, he dives into this paradox, offering a compelling exploration of how historical divisions, post-colonial struggles, and political stagnation have eroded the region's unity. With the World Bank and IMF highlighting South Asia's weak regional connectivity and the ongoing strain in Bangladesh-India relations, Karim's work couldn't be more timely.

Through a mix of historical analysis, comparative frameworks, and case studies, he not only diagnoses the roots of the problem but also suggests pathways towards a more cooperative future.

The Association of Former Ambassadors (AOFA), in partnership with the University Press Limited (UPL) and the Global Studies and Governance Department at Independent University Bangladesh, hosted the launch event for the new book at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

Former ambassador Farooq Sobhan, former state minister for Foreign Affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury, former ambassador Shahed Akhtar, chair of the Global Studies and Governance Department at Independent University Bangladesh Dr Marufa Akter, AOFA President Ambassador Abdullah Al Hasan, former bureaucrat Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, professor of the Graham School of Management at Saint Xavier University, Chicago Faisal Rahman, International Relations Professor of Dhaka University Dr Lailufar Yasmin, International Affairs Analyst Syed Shahnawaz Mohsin, former rector of the Foreign Service Academy Mashfee Binte Shams, and UPL Managing Director Mahrukh Mohiuddin were also present at the book launch.

Ambassador Karim begins with an exploration of South Asia's past, a time when the region thrived as a tightly knit economic and cultural hub. For centuries, trade routes, rail networks, and shared social bonds wove together in places like the Bengal Presidency, which spanned modern-day Bangladesh, parts of India, Myanmar, and even Singapore.

But the Partition of 1947 shattered this unity. Borders drawn along political lines disrupted movement, trade, and the flow of ideas, leaving behind a legacy of division.

He also describes how the former British colonies acquired statehood and emerged after colonial Britain's exit as post-colonial neo-Westphalian states that had all the attributes of a state in the new world order but lacked stability as states and provides a theoretical framework explaining why this happened.

The newly independent states were ill-equipped to handle the complexities of their diverse populations and competing interests. This instability, Karim argues, lies at the heart of South Asia's inability to foster meaningful regional cooperation.

He contrasts this with the European Union and ASEAN, where post-war pragmatism and strong institutional frameworks drove integration. In South Asia, however, historical rivalries—especially between India and its neighbours—have stifled progress.

A significant portion of the book is devoted to dissecting the failures of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation). Created as a platform for unity, SAARC has instead become a symbol of dysfunction, crippled by political tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan.

Karim's comparison with the EU and ASEAN is telling: while these organisations were built on mutual economic interests and collective security, SAARC has remained mired in rhetoric, with little to show in terms of tangible outcomes.

The book's discussion of SAARC's shortcomings feels especially relevant in light of the current state of Bangladesh-India relations. After the July Uprising, the two nations are experiencing a diplomatic low, marked by intense ultra-nationalistic rhetoric, mutual distrust, and a disinformation campaign.

These new issues have exacerbated existing crises of trade imbalances, unresolved water disputes, border killings, and India's perceived dominance, all of which have fuelled mistrust. Karim hints that without addressing these bilateral tensions, any hope for regional integration will remain out of reach.

Acknowledging SAARC's stagnation, Karim turns his attention to subregional initiatives like BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) and BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). Drawing from his firsthand involvement in subregional cooperation, he offers both an insider's perspective and a candid critique of its limitations.

While BBIN has made some strides, such as transportation agreements, it has also faced setbacks. For instance, Bhutan's withdrawal from the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement due to domestic concerns highlights the challenges of aligning national interests with regional goals.

Karim argues that these obstacles reflect a broader issue: even sub-regional efforts are often derailed by domestic politics and a lack of institutional consistency.

BIMSTEC, on the other hand, offers a more promising avenue, thanks to its inclusion of Southeast Asian nations like Thailand and Myanmar.

One of the book's most compelling arguments is the impact of domestic politics on regional cooperation. Karim shows how political instability, nationalist rhetoric, and election cycles often derail long-term regional initiatives.

This is particularly evident in Bangladesh-India relations, where shifts in political leadership can dramatically alter bilateral ties. One administration may prioritise closer ties with India, while the next may adopt an anti-India stance for electoral gains, disrupting any continuity in diplomacy.

Karim also analyses India's approach to regional leadership in detail.

Drawing from his firsthand experience, Tariq Karim provides a thorough account of the journey towards subregional cooperation. He traces its origins back to the initial conceptualisation within the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry, where the idea first took shape, and later reflects on his role as a consultant to the World Bank, where he actively worked to advance economic integration in the region.

Karim meticulously outlines the various phases of this process, highlighting both the successes and setbacks. While some objectives have seen progress, others have stalled entirely. He delves into the ways domestic political dynamics and competing foreign policy priorities can create roadblocks, ultimately undermining efforts to foster meaningful sub-regional collaboration.

His analysis sheds light on the complex challenges that arise when nations attempt to work together, offering valuable insights into why such initiatives often struggle to gain traction.

Despite the grim realities, Karim doesn't leave readers without hope. He advocates for a pragmatic approach to regional cooperation, focusing on small-scale, achievable projects rather than grand political agreements. Cross-border energy initiatives, trade facilitation, and infrastructure development, he argues, could serve as building blocks for deeper integration.

For Bangladesh, this approach holds particular promise. Geographically positioned as a bridge between South and Southeast Asia, Bangladesh has the potential to play a pivotal role in regional connectivity. Yet, as Karim notes, this potential remains untapped due to political constraints and infrastructural gaps.

The Tortuous Evolution of South Asian Regional Cooperation is a must-read for anyone invested in the future of South Asia. Karim's blend of historical insight, diplomatic experience, and critical analysis offers a comprehensive understanding of why the region has struggled to unite and what it will take to change course.

At a time when Bangladesh-India relations are strained and South Asia continues to lag in global rankings of regional integration, this book serves as both a warning and a guide. It challenges policymakers to move beyond political posturing and embrace regionalism as a necessity for economic survival in an interconnected world.

Whether South Asia can rise above its historical baggage remains to be seen, but Karim's work makes it clear: without a fundamental shift in approach, the region will continue to fall short of its potential.