SAARC and region-building: is South Asia a region?

Chakma, Bhumitra

Abstract

'Region' is a contested concept. Although scholars have extensively debated the issue, there is no consensus on the definition of region. While some scholars emphasise geographic proximity as a key factor, others put importance to cognitive and ideational factors, yet some others seek to combine the two perspectives to define region. Against such a background, this paper explains the complexities of defining South Asia as a region. It explores the historical evolution of the identification of the region and analyses how region building in recent decades, instead of consolidating its regionness, has produced a multiplicity of discourses, narratives and meanings about South Asia as a region. This is particularly evident if South Asia is examined in terms of 'economic', 'security' and 'cultural' region. Importantly, these discourses, narratives and meanings are not necessarily symmetrical and compatible with each other although they co-exist in an uneasy manner at both regional and national levels. And, they are contingent and subject to change over time.

Citation

Chakma, B. (2018). SAARC and region-building: is South Asia a region?. Journal of the Indian Ocean Region, 14(2), 189-205. https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2018.1478272

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 15, 2018
• Online Publication Date: May 28, 2018
• Publication Date: May 28, 2018
• Deposit Date: Sep 13, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 29, 2019
• Print ISSN: 1948-0881
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 189-205
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2018.1478272
• Keywords: Region; Regionalism; South Asia; SAARC; BIMSTEC; Security Complex
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/884419
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/19480881.2018.1478272
• Contract Date: Sep 14, 2018