nstitute of China Studies, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Abstract
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
has been in existence for 29 years, but has made slow progress. Despite this, many countries within and outside the region aspire to be part of this forum. As a
result, SAARC is the only association in the world, which has more observer members (nine), than full-fledged members (eight). China is presently the observer member in SAARC, and working towards enhancing its roleto“dialogue partner” and later on obtaining the full membership. However,China’s SAARC membership is widely debated. In this context, the paper
attempts to analyse the arguments in favour and against China’s membershipand examines India’s position and concerns vis-à-vis China’s elevated role
in SAARC. Subsequently, it identifies and discusses the factors favouring China to become a full fledge member of SAARC. This paper concludes thatChina’s SAARC membership might become inevitable at some time in the
future. However, the question is – can India intelligently and sophisticatedly
play its cards to advance its own interests
