ECO’s way forward

The 17th ECO Summit in Khankendi pulled no punches as it pushed for genuine regional cooperation and economic integration in a region riddled with old grudges and fresh flashpoints. Pakistan took the bull by the horns, spotlighting the Iran-Israel conflict, India’s belligerent stance on the Indus Waters Treaty, and terrorism spillover from Afghanistan as major roadblocks standing in the way of lasting peace. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif didn’t mince words—he urged the 10-nation bloc to close ranks, ditch reactionary posturing, and embrace a collective path forward. With proposals like low-emission corridors, regional climate platforms, and a robust disaster resistance system on the table, the summit wasn’t just talk, it was a blueprint for action.

Yet, the real elephant in the room remains the thorny India-Pakistan dynamic. Without burying the hatchet between these two, the dream of full-scale regional connectivity will remain pie in the sky. Despite frosty diplomatic ties, the trade figures paint a different picture $211.5 million in imports from India in just 11 months and a mind-boggling $10 billion in unofficial exports routed via third countries. The article makes it abundantly clear: the region is sitting on untapped potential. But unless the politics of confrontation give way to cooperation, infrastructure projects like TAPI, CASA-1000, and the IP pipeline will stay stuck in neutral. It’s time for the region to stop chasing its tail and get serious about a shared future rooted in geo-economics, not geopolitics.

Overview:

This article emphasizes the urgent need for meaningful regional cooperation within the ECO framework, highlighting Pakistan’s active diplomatic pitch for economic integration, climate resilience, and peaceful coexistence. It also underscores the missed opportunities resulting from bilateral tensions, particularly between Pakistan and India, and calls for translating connectivity dreams into ground realities.

NOTES:

This article provides observations into Pakistan’s regional diplomacy, the evolving climate agenda, and multilateralism within Eurasia. The references to stalled mega projects and climate proposals are useful examples for essays and policy analysis questions. It also shares a diplomatic perspective on Indo-Pak ties, and also showcases how economic indicators can contradict political narratives.

CSS Relevant Subjects and Topics:

• Current Affairs: ECO Summit, regional integration, Pakistan’s foreign policy
• Pakistan Affairs: Indo-Pak relations, economic diplomacy, connectivity projects
• International Relations: Regional organizations (ECO), climate diplomacy, multilateral cooperation
• Essay Paper: Regionalism, South Asian peace, sustainable development, economic connectivity

Notes for Beginners:

This article is a clear example of how diplomacy plays out on the regional stage. For instance, the ECO Summit shows that nations are trying to shift focus from political quarrels to mutual economic gains. However, long-standing rivalries like that between Pakistan and India keep throwing a wrench in the works. When Pakistan speaks of stalled projects like TAPI or the trans-Afghan railway  it’s a sign that potential exists but remains locked behind distrust. Understanding how trade data and informal routes reveal economic interdependence, even amidst political tension, is essential for beginners studying international trade and diplomacy.

Facts and Figures:

• ECO comprises 10 Eurasian nations
• Pakistan imported $211.5 million worth of goods from India in FY25
• In May alone, amid conflict, $15 million worth of Indian goods were imported
• India unofficially exports nearly $10 billion to Pakistan annually through third countries

To sum up, the article is a timely reminder that while the road to regional peace and prosperity is paved with potential, it’s also riddled with potholes of mistrust. It’s no longer enough to talk the talk; it’s time to walk the walk. The economic map is already drawn, what’s missing is the political will to ink it into reality. Whether it’s climate cooperation, trade corridors or ending regional isolation, the choice is clear: move forward together or remain stuck in the quicksand of old grudges.

Difficult Words and Meaning:

• Sine qua non – An essential condition or element
• Buoying – Supporting or uplifting
• Frictions – Conflicts or tensions
• Unilateral – Done by one side without agreement
• In limbo – In a state of uncertainty or neglect