REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND CONNECTIVITY FROM PAKISTANI PERSPECTIVE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54690/jcs.v8i1.27Keywords:
CPEC, Greater South Asia, SAARC, BIMSTEC, Trans, Asian Rail link,, Act East PolicyAbstract
Abstract
South Asia became the most lucrative trade route for the West at the turn of fifteenth century. Merchants and traders from the region operated world-wide through various routes, but today the region doesn’t enjoy the same level of connectivity, thereby lacking collective growth and development infrastructure despite being well-endowed with natural and human resources. Unfortunately, the various initiatives for regional connectivity such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTECH) etc. have caused more divide than convergence to the detriment of regional states and peoples. This paper examines the contemporary significance of regional connectivity by analysing whether the initiatives such as SAARC and CPEC have the potential to integrate or to further divide the region? What damage can rise of parochialism and a reinforced traditional security outlook impart on the region? Also, can South Asia contribute positively to the comity of nations?
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