A senior aide in the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) has highlighted the potential benefits of reviving the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) during a discussion with RT India. The SAARC, formed in 1985, has been largely inactive, especially since the failure of the 2016 Islamabad summit, primarily due to persistent political tensions between its largest members, India and Pakistan. These tensions have severely impeded regional collaboration, trade, and diplomatic efforts, leading to a stagnation in South Asian integration.

The BNP's International Affairs Secretary, Nasir Uddin Ahmed Ashim, emphasized that restoring SAARC's functionality would not just aid in regional trade but also foster connectivity and collective diplomatic initiatives among member states. The successful revival of this bloc is seen as critical for the burgeoning political landscape in South Asia, especially following the BNP's recent electoral victory, securing a two-thirds majority in the general elections.

Ahmed Ashim specifically mentioned that a reinvigorated SAARC could lead to significant improvements across multiple sectors in South Asia. The political will, particularly from the new Prime Minister-elect, Tarique Rahman, is expected to play a crucial role in this process, as revitalizing SAARC could create a more cohesive regional identity and stimulate economic growth across the member states, which include Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, and Afghanistan.