SOUTH ASIA AND THE SAARC

Since their independence, the relationship between the two main South Asian countries have been characterised by mutual suspicions, unfriendly relations, and at times, open conflicts. Even otherwise. South Asian countries are generally suspicious of India, which dwarfs them by its size and potential. On top of all this, there is no dearth of postulations by Indian academics and commentators regarding India's ordained regional role. There are, thus, understandable fears in the smaller South Asian countries about India's hegemonistic designs.