As South Asian countries compete for lucrative projects, connectivity, and name recognition, Pakistan and Afghanistan have often been shut out of reaping the benefits of regional collaboration.
As experts point out, India prioritises regional collaboration and political influence through economic cooperation, whereas Pakistan insists on addressing strategic concerns before cooperating. Along with commerce and technological endeavours, Islamabad prioritises conflict resolution.
While India and China are interested in connecting and powering projects in Afghanistan, shaking hands with the Taliban is keeping them away. For decades, South Asia, which includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, has been a hotbed of Sino-Indian strategic conflict.