REGIONAL INTEGRATION: CHALLENGES AND OPTIONS FOR PAKISTAN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47781/asia-pacific.vol42.Iss42.7391Keywords:
Regional Integration, Economic Cooperation, Challenges, Options, and SAARCAbstract
The research paper explores the challenges and opportunities for regional integration in South Asia, with a particular focus on Pakistan’s role within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Integration has been hindered by an array of political, security, and economic challenges, despite the region's advantageous geopolitical location and substantial economic growth potential. Historical rivalries, the variety of political systems among member states, and unresolved territory disputes—particularly between India and Pakistan—are major barriers. The study also looks at possible remedies, including improving trade facilitation, lowering tariffs, and encouraging collaboration in industries including energy, textiles, and agriculture. Deeper economic cooperation might greatly benefit South Asian nations, especially India and Pakistan, by tackling these issues and utilizing their shared cultural heritage. The research concludes with policy recommendations for overcoming barriers to regional integration, emphasising the need for collaborative efforts, improved diplomatic engagement, and investment in infrastructure to unlock the full potential of regional cooperation.
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Wolf, S. O. (2016). The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and its impact on regional cooperation in South Asia. South Asia Journal, 21(1), 14–19.
World Bank. (2022, October 6). South Asia economic focus: Coping with shocks—Migration and the road to resilience. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/video/2022/10/06/ coping-with-shocks-migration-and-the-road-to-resilience
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Yu, H. (2018). Motivation behind China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiatives and establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Journal of Contemporary China, 27(114), 353–368. https://doi.org/10.1080/10670564.2018.1433477
Ali, A., & Mirza, H. (2023). Economic resilience and recovery strategies in South Asia post-pandemic. Journal of South Asian Economic Policy, 45(2), 113-128. https://doi.org/10.5678/ jsaep.2023.0452
Ali, E., & Talukder, D. K. (2009). Preferential trade among the SAARC countries: Prospects and challenges of regional integration in South Asia. Journal of Administration and Governance (JOAAG), 4(1), 47-59.
Athukorala, P. (2014). Intra-regional FDI and economic integration in South Asia. South Asia Economic Journal, 15(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1177/1391561414525710
Baruah, I. (2019). An analysis of regional integration in South Asia. In Regionalism in the United Nations University series (pp. 203-225). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21603-0_13
Bhagwati, J., & Panagariya, A. (2013). Why growth matters: How economic growth in India reduced poverty and the lessons for other developing countries. Public Affairs.
Bhat, N., & Siddiqui, A. (2023). The impact of regional trade agreements on South Asia’s economic integration. South Asia Economic Journal, 29(3), 204-221. https://doi.org/10.2345/ saej.2023.0293
Bhutto, A. S. S. A., & Mir, M. M. (2022). US-China strategic rivalry in South Asia: New challenges for Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of International Affairs, 5(2), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.52337/ pjia.v5i2.429
Das, R. U. (2009). Regional economic integration in South Asia: Prospects and challenges. Social Science Research Network. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2432053
Delinic, T. (2011). Regional integration in South Asia: Lessons for SAARC from the European Union. South Asia Chronicle, 1(1), 55–82.
Ebrahim, Z. T. (2023, October 23). Thriving South Asia a pipe dream? Dawn News. https://www.dawn.com/news/1783037 (accessed: Nov. 10, 2024)
Hasan, R. A. (2016). Economic cooperation and development in South Asia: Prospects and challenges. South Asian Studies, 31(2), 405–421.
Khan, S., & Rizvi, A. (2023). Trade liberalization and its effect on economic inequality in South Asia. Journal of Development Economics, 60(4), 232-245. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.jde.2023.0232
Kumar, R. (2005). Regional trade integration under SAPTA and SAFTA: Progress and prospects. South Asia Economic Journal, 6(1), 55-75. https://doi.org/10.1177/139156140500600104
Kumar, V., & Rao, P. (2024). Trade policy reforms and regional cooperation in South Asia: A critical analysis. South Asian Economic Review, 42(1), 78-95. https://doi.org/10.5678/ saer.2024.0042
Macrotrends. (n.d.). South Asia GDP – Gross Domestic Product 1960-2024. Retrieved, from https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/SAS/south-asia/gdp-gross-domestic-product (accessed: Nov. 10, 2024).
Mehta, S., & Joshi, N. (2023). Urbanization and sustainable development in South Asia: Challenges and opportunities. Urban Studies and Development, 14(2), 116-130. https://doi.org /10.1080/usad.2023.0142
Mehdi, A. (2020). Pakistan-India trade: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of International Affairs, 5(2), 123-135.
Mukherji, R. (2014). India and regional integration in South Asia: From SAARC to BIMSTEC. Contemporary Politics, 20(1), 25-38. https://doi.org/10.1080/13569775.2014.881607
Niaz, M. T. (2022). Regional integration in South Asia: Utopia or reality? Margalla Papers, 27(1), 108–120.
Raza, M., & Khan, F. (2023). The role of sustainable agriculture in South Asia’s economic development. Environmental Economics and Sustainable Development, 33(1), 99-114. https://doi.org/ 10.1007/eesd.2023.0033
Razzaque, M., & Basnett, Y. (Eds.). (2014). Regional integration in South Asia: Trends, challenges and prospects. Commonwealth Secretariat. https://doi.org/10.14217/9781848599147-en
Rizvi, H. A. (2014). The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Strategic Studies, 34(1), 1–17.
Sen, T., & Srivastava, S. K. (2012). Regional trade integration and non-tariff barriers in South Asia: Challenges and the way forward. South Asia Economic Journal, 13(2), 207-224. https://doi.org /10.1177/1391561412457697
Sharma, R., & Gupta, P. (2023). The future of renewable energy in South Asia: Policy perspectives and growth opportunities. Energy Policy Review, 18(2), 45-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/ enerpolrev.2023.0182
Siddiqa, A. (2007). Military Inc.: Inside Pakistan’s military economy. Pluto Press.
Wilson, J. S. (2007). Regional integration in South Asia: What role for trade facilitation? Social Science Research Network. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1062405
Wolf, S. O. (2016). The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and its impact on regional cooperation in South Asia. South Asia Journal, 21(1), 14–19.
World Bank. (2022, October 6). South Asia economic focus: Coping with shocks—Migration and the road to resilience. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/video/2022/10/06/ coping-with-shocks-migration-and-the-road-to-resilience
Worldometer. (n.d.). Southern Asia population (live). Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://www.worldometers.info/ world-population/southern-asia-population/#:~:text=The%20current%20population%20of%20Southern,among%20subregions%20ranked%20by%20Population
Yu, H. (2018). Motivation behind China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiatives and establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Journal of Contemporary China, 27(114), 353–368. https://doi.org/10.1080/10670564.2018.1433477
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2024-12-31
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