China and Pakistan want a new bloc to replace SAARC.

The now-defunct South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) may be replaced by a new regional organization that China and Pakistan are developing.

According to diplomatic sources familiar with the development, talks between Beijing and Islamabad are now at an advanced stage because both parties are certain that a new organization is urgently needed for regional connectivity and integration.

One of those diplomatic ploys was the recent trilateral meeting between China, Bangladesh, and Pakistan in Kunming, China.

The gathering, which was the first of its kind in India, brought together senior diplomats from three nations.

The final objective of the June 19 meeting in Kunming was to extend invitations to other SAARC member nations to join the new alliance.

Sources claim that although India would be invited to the new proposed forum, it is unlikely to accept due to its conflicting interests.

However, it is anticipated that additional nations, such as Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, will be included in the grouping.

The new organization’s primary goal is to increase regional engagement through improved connectivity and trade.

SAARC, formerly known as the European Union (EU) of South Asia, would cease to exist if the proposal were to become a reality.

Due to the hostile relations between India and Pakistan, SAARC was unable to accomplish its declared goals.

Ten years have passed since the last summit of the regional grouping. India did not attend the 2016 summit in Islamabad, which was scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. Along with New Delhi, Bangladesh, which was then led by pro-Indian Sheikh Hasina Wajid, chose not to attend the summit.

Although Pakistan was eager to host the summit, no significant attempts have been made since to bring the organization back to life.

Following the Pahalgam attack, India recently withdrew its offer of special visas under SAARC to Pakistani businessmen, dealing the organization yet another devastating blow.

After months of deliberating over the new organization’s proposal, China and Pakistan decided that like-minded nations should work together for a brighter future.

According to observers, India is not a good fit in other regional organizations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) due to its conflicting interests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi skipped the last two SCO summits. The 10-member security alliance comprises China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan and some central Asian States.

The presence of China and Russia often refers the SCO as regional bloc to challenge West. India, however, appears to be at odds with the SCO agenda in recent years.