The Politics Of Regionalism In South-Asia

This study is a modest attempt to apply the integration theory to the analysis of trends and shifts in interdependence (intra-and extra-regional) in South Asia. Distinction between the integration models that emerged in Western Europe and the South Asian "integration" is discernible. The external relations of the SAARC members are having positive and negative impacts on the integrative process in this region. Thus bilateral relations and external ties are the major considerations in this study.
This study brings home the fact that the supranational handling of political and economic issues are not possible in a developing region where sovereignty is jealously' guarded. The third world integration model as provided by Lynn Mytlka is found useful in the South Asian context. Mytelka's Type-Ill model considers the conditions of dependence. But in South Asia it is very difficult to attain type III integration scheme.
Since 'Primacy of the Political' is underscored in a third world integration scheme, relatively high degree of political integration at the outset is a logical first step. This high level political integration has got two aspects viz. (i) Bilateral and (ii) External. Projection of common regional front in dealing with external powers will have a spill over effect on bilateral relations. Without improving bilateral relations vital economic areas cannot be brought under the regional scheme.
It is found that India has got a special role in regional co-operation in South Asia since the whole region is 'Indo-centric and India dominated'. Good neighbourly relations incorporating the ideals and aspirations of the smaller South Asian countries would ultimately result in widening the scope of SAARC regionalism. At the present stage 'deepening' rather than 'widening' should be given priority. The attempt should be to diminish the dimensions of conflict rather than the outright elimination of it. SAARC is a compound of interests. Settling of bilateral disputes is not mathematically achievable.