India, Dec. 13 -- Forty years ago, South Asia envisioned a regional alliance that would serve the collective interests of a region home to one-fifth of humanity. Inspired by successful models like ASEAN, leaders believed that shared history and geography could form the foundation for meaningful cooperation. Yet the promise of this vision remained unfulfilled. While other regional blocs prospered, SAARC - the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation - struggled to take off. Despite its lofty ideals and sincere efforts, political fault lines repeatedly overshadowed the organisation's purpose, preventing the region from realising the benefits of true collaboration.
As South Asia marked the 40th anniversary of the SAARC Charter in Kath...