Amid escalating tensions, Pakistan has been vocal in attributing the stagnation of SAARC to India’s actions, while simultaneously pursuing an alternative alliance with Bangladesh and China to sidestep India. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has criticized India for disrupting regional cooperation, despite India’s insistence that Pakistan’s support for terrorism has paralyzed SAARC operations. The proposed new bloc, potentially resembling the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, aims to enhance military collaboration and economic ties, challenging India’s influence in South Asia. As India emphasizes a “neighbourhood first” policy and strengthens ties with other regional partners, the ongoing friction underscores the challenging dynamics in the region, with SAARC’s future hinging on the resolution of trust deficits.