The Centre for South Asian Studies (CSAS), University of the Punjab organized a Webinar, titled "SAARC: Security Cooperation & Regional Stability" on December 17, 2024. Ms. Ambreen Ashfaq, a renowned scholar, analyst & a Civil Servant was the Keynote speaker at the occasion. The Speaker said that the concept of regionalism emerged back in 1970s & the idea behind regional cooperation is always the national interest. She discussed how India has been a stumbling block in terms of regional cooperation since India has problematic relations with almost all of its neighbors. Ms. Ashfaq also focused on the challenges in making SAARC an effective organization and highlighted the lessons to be learnt from other regional organizations like ASEAN & EU. The Guest Speaker also explored that the security issues are not only limited to traditional threats but we face the non-traditional threats like terrorism, climate challenges, smog & trans-national organized crimes. She was of the view that SAARC has not been dormant yet it has not played its role, the way it was supposed to be. She stressed that we need to have strong institutional mechanism as is the case with ASEAN & EU since these regional organizations have strong economic integration & dialogue mechanism. The Guest Speaker was of the view that SAARC can be rejuvinated if the regional countries step out of political differences. Ms. Ashfaq emphasized that SAARC Secretariat

Needs to be strenghthened and trade can be enhanced through SAFTA. In this regard, China can play a greater role. Prof. Dr. Naheed S. Goraya, Director CSAS thanked the honorable Guest Speaker. She said that South Asia is the least developed area of the world & least connected in this era of interconnectivity. Dr. Goraya said that the lack of cooperation among SAARC Countries is the biggest obstacle that hinders the region's ability to prosper. She emphasized that India needs to build a constructive approach to facilitate interconnectivity without any ifs & buts.