When Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, visited India in 2017, she attended a public reception where the veteran Indian politician and former Deputy Prime Minister of India, L. K. Advani, who chaired the reception, and the Indian Prime Minister were special guests.
In this reception, L. K. Advani stated that for the development and peace in this region, a good and trustworthy relationship between India and Pakistan is essential for activating the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). He suggested that Sheikh Hasina, as a senior and experienced head of state of a SAARC nation, could be the mediator to build up the relationship between India and Pakistan and activate SAARC.

Since then, considerable water has passed through the Ganges, Indus, Padma, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea, even considering the Balakot conflict and the establishment of Hambantota. On the other hand, the world faced the threatening COVID-19 pandemic, the second most hazardous natural disaster after influenza, which changed the world from a business to a geopolitical system.

Additionally, 2017 to 2024 is a long time, during which the geopolitical order of Asia has changed. The relationships between all South Asian countries and India have taken different shapes, with smaller countries starting to balance their relationships with both China and India.
Conversely, the relationship between China and India has reversed from what it was in 2017. Conflict in Ladakh occurred between them during COVID-19, and a similar border conflict happened between India and Pakistan.

An uprising in Sri Lanka led to a moderate and educated leader, who understands the Indo-Pacific consequences and its future, coming to power. In Nepal, the government is in a musical chair situation due to China-India chess diplomacy. The new government in the Maldives has shown a different color. The second-largest South Asian economy, Bangladesh, has learned to move forward by balancing India and China.

From 2017 to 2024, time has extended due to COVID-19 and the post-COVID “new normal” era, during which the South Asian economy has frazzled. In this “new normal” economy, 2024 is an election year in the world and South Asia. Out of eight countries, four have formed governments through elections. Though the character of elections in South Asian countries varies, they must come to power through elections.

Two other countries also maintain general election processes. Despite differences, democracy still has a thin presence in South Asia, providing a common harmony in the region. Democracy has power if given the opportunity and proper nurturing; it will flourish, showing the dynamic strength of the people. If South Asians were empowered with democratic power, the situation would be different. Democracy cannot build up in isolation; it becomes strong through the bonding and nurturing of each other. The present situation is not the end; there is a possibility of creating a strong democratic world in South Asia.

However, on June 8, when Sheikh Hasina attended the oath-taking ceremony of the Indian Prime Minister, she also met L.K. Advani. This time, what Mr. Advani said to her didn’t come to the media; it was a one-to-one meeting. Moreover, Mr. Advani is almost retired. In addition, everybody will think that, as a senior politician in South Asia, he still favors peace.

Some may say that BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and even BNI (Bangladesh Nepal India) are working well. So why, in this situation, would leaders or people think of an almost-dead organization like SAARC? Many organizations are always good for regional development, cooperation, and connectivity. In all circumstances, the organization representing the whole region’s spirit is always different. Besides, if any organization upholds people’s empowerment and peace, its importance must be higher than that of others.

SAARC is not only an economic organization but also an organization of regional ideological bondage with a democratic culture. That’s why SAARC is still essential, and for this, a mediator is still important to resolve the issues that have made SAARC an almost dead organization.
On the other hand, a new demand sometimes comes from many corners: why will China not be a SAARC member? First, China is not a country in South Asia. Besides, restoring the SAARC is essential to strengthening democracy.

Though South Asia will not achieve a good democracy overnight, it will not be wise for any country to abandon the democratic process. Instead, all should think that many pros or cons will come. Even if the road to democracy is never smooth, South Asia should embrace democracy more from their heart. In any circumstances, South Asia must be a part of the democratic world.

This should be the main agenda of restoring SAARC.
In conclusion, any senior leader like Sheikh Hasina or another should be a mediator. This will not only strengthen the democracy of South Asia in the future but also be a strong body for the security of this region with the help of the rest of the democratic world.

The writer is a state award-winning journalist and the Editor of The Present World and Sarakhon.