Military Alliances versus Economic Cooperation - Dr Zia Ul Haque Shamsi

However, in spite of the core objectives of SAARC being all of the above, India continues to block the accomplishment of any of these objectives. [...] The geostrategic location of South Asia as a sub-region has significant attraction due to its connectivity with Central Asia, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the warm waters of the Arabian Sea. [...] The inclusion of Afghanistan would give access to Central Asia and Russia would have access to the warm waters of the Arabian Sea. [...] “The core objective of the Quad is, to secure a rules-based global order, freedom of navigation and, a liberal trading system.” No matter what the stated aims and objectives QUAD holds, its apparent aim is to counter China’s global economic rise and military development in the region. [...] The writer is the author of the book ‘Nuclear Deterrence and Conflict Management Between India and Pakistan’.