The twenty first century is an Era of greater connectivity and interdependence where no one can afford isolation in the umbrella of nationalism. State as an international person is imagined to be losing its personality to the dawn of Globalization. Globalization is a process which generates flows and connections, not simply across nation-states and national territorial boundaries, but between global regions, continents and civilizations. This invites a definition of globalization as ‘an historical process,’ which engenders a significant shift in the spatial reach of networks and systems of social relations to transcontinental or interregional patterns of human organization, activity and the exercise of power.¹

SAARC as a regional organization play as an active role in generalizing new trends in this sphere. Nowadays there is greater connectivity of world and the regional approach is gaining new impetus by converting into inter-regionalism [1]. This inter-regional approach is best studied in the presence of observer states at different regional blocs. In SAARC their presence add to the strength and significance of this forum. This opportunity provides SAARC members to access other regional organizations and share their experiences. Also, the organization benefit from their expertise and skills, which marginalizes regionalism in South Asia.

Some researchers are of the view that: (a) globalization is a concept that acknowledges the solution of all the problems of nation-states; (b) it further encourages the nation state to get together and move towards one global system [2]. Globalization involves economic integration; the transfer of policies across borders; the transmission of knowledge; cultural stability; the reproduction and relations. It is a global process, a concept, a revolution, and establishment of the global free market.²

There is a perception that the global system which emerged in the post-World War II has become so strong that today it can affect the regional and sub-regional systems and trans-national social structure. Observed that, in the twentieth century the global system was greatly influential on national societies and the regions of the world, in post 1945 period this influence is further strengthened and more specifically in the last twenty years.³

Lack of global governance

The lack of global governance is a serious conflict for Globalization. There is a misunderstanding regarding the global problems and regional politics. It is obvious that there is no global decision making mechanism to safeguard the interests of the weak countries. Regionalism is meant for the benefit of the concerned region in effect to the benefit of regional countries.⁴ Taking globalism alone could not be a remedy for the ailments of the world politics and economy. It would be undermining the importance of social and cultural values, history, language, and technology and most importantly the political systems [3]. So regionalism is regarded as a co-actor of globalization.

Some researchers consider the previous versions of globalization⁵ as a threat to the nation-state system. They argue that today regionalism looks the only means of cooperation. They further hold that it looks able enough to deal the threats of Globalization through institutional mechanism or in a decentralized manner. It is notable that only regional arrangement looks capable to act efficiently in the governing of Globalization⁶ which means that regional organizations have built their capacity to act as globalization agents through trans-regionalism.

Researchers and analysts argue that regionalism and multilateralism are tools for governing ‘globalization.’ A researcher comments that, it is imperative for the states to respond the exhortative dictations of globalization through multilateral cooperation for preventing the loss of their role in the international arena.’⁷ So, it is in the best interests of nation states to build regional blocs to avoid losing their role as a nation in the emerging world of interdependence.

Uni-polarity of the world

Globalization refers to all those processes by which the peoples of the world are incorporated into a single world society, global society.⁸ The cold war period experienced ‘ideological differences’ during which the world was expressed to be ‘bipolar,’ the two powerful blocs were leading the world into two opposite directions. The ideological differences were represented by (a) Capitalist bloc under the leadership of U.S.A and (b) Communist bloc under the sponsorship of U.S.S.R [4].

During this Era the world was imagined to be divided into two ideological regions. The concept of two worlds as a result was arising. But soon after the collapse of the former U.S.S.R the world became uni-polar and there are slogans for one global system or one world. It is assumed that, after the collapse of soviet styled communism in Eastern Europe the elites of the global north made their version of globalization public.⁹ But side by side another trend got its momentum which is regionalism and trans-regionalism. Through these approaches the nation state system is though is losing some of its credibility but it is safe from a total decay.

The post 9/11 world order

The post 9/11 international order has an inclination towards the sole super power tendency. The new global order acknowledges American lead in the military, political, economic and technological spheres [5]. Regionalism is a resilient attempt to global changes and is being practiced according to the nature and requirement of circumstances across the globe. In the recent past the world has experienced developments in international trade and foreign investment.

Other contemporary developments are the revival of regional arrangements and inception of varied regional and international organizations like, European Union, NAFTA, ASEAN, Andean Community, MERCOSUR, SADA, and SAARC, etc.¹⁰ All these organizations provide stability to the existing world system but with little modifications the counter strategies still exist. In the wake of global terrorism, global counter terrorism strategies were adopted regionally, trans-regionally and internationally. So the post 9/11 order is providing a new shape to globalized tendencies. It is imagined that this order has further knitted blocs [6].

The question of state sovereignty

Globalization does not guarantee peace and security across the globe in its complete sense. But it wants the global actors to do more to ensure global security paradigm. Seemingly there is a feeling of insecurity inside the particular regions as for example in the Asian region, and the state sovereignty has been at stake as Pakistan.¹¹ Pakistan has been a U.S non–NATO ally in the ‘war against terrorism’ since, 9/11 [7]. The U.S involvement in Afghanistan has been threatening the peace of the Asian region in general and Pakistan’s state sovereignty in particular. Globalization is also defined as, “the weakening of state sovereignty and state structure.”¹²

On the other hand regionalism presents itself as a kind of solution in the regional security scenario. Globalization makes the security status of the state more complex that is why we are to support that the state is incapable of licensing the protection of its populous and territory.¹³ Globalization may indeed mean the end of the nation state if the nation state fails to redefine itself in the new global context¹⁴. The new context demands the regional blocs to go into inter-regional and trans-regional trade, economics and political activities. This trend is going to shape the world in a new style.

Regionalism and the world order approach

After getting through a series of globalization definitions, we are clear that the present time globalization is enduring for political and economic integration of the world system.¹⁵ On the other hand, regionalization is an attempt towards political, economic, social, cultural and institutional integration of the regional fiber [8]. If compared under existing conditions one would not be exaggerating that regionalism has brought Europe under EU to the glory. South East Asian nations are on the road to prosperity under the emblem of ASEAN, South Asian region is also trying to enhance cooperation and development under SAARC.

After discussing globalization theory in the regional perspective, it is imperative that, “regionalism is a process that provides stability, flexibility and harmonization to the existing world order.” It further solidifies the world order approach by providing arch to the global system.¹⁶ The proponents of this approach profess that, “Global governmental mechanism can tackle the existing world problems in a best possible way.”¹⁷

A regions’ capacity is measured in its power to influence beyond its region. The Asian region as a whole is becoming a vibrant player in the world economy and has achieved tremendous bargaining power in the world political field for it hosts about 60 percent of world population, supports one-third of the world economy, more than a quarter of international exports and recipient of the largest amount of world foreign direct investment.

The region is vital for its share in the global economy and attractive natural and human resource. The rising China and India are speaking beyond the Asian continent. China commands changes in the East Asia and African continent while India influences the Gulf region and to some extent the Central Asia. Pakistan’s influence in the region and outside is growing, particularly with reference to Afghanistan in the U.S war on terror [9]. These influences and interests define the status of states as trans-regional actors. Sometimes their priorities negatively affect their role in their respective organizations while sometimes it adds to their credibility to play a similar role. Due to such active interactions of states, they sometimes gains observer status in interregional organizations which further redefines inter-regionalism in this new dimension.

Impacts of new trends on South Asia

Analyses about SAARC and ASEAN are made that they have reached the limits where the emergence of a new Asia could be laid. South Asian leadership is about to cash the dashing potential of the Asian resurgence in the global perspective [10]. The Indian Prime Minister Singh, has rightly insisted that:

A dynamic Asia could well power global growth and provide new opportunities of growth for EU and North America,” He added, “China’s trebling and India’s doubling share to world GDP in the past decades indeed needs global institutions and new global rules of the game that would facilitate the peaceful rise of new nations in Asia.18

The Indian leader has assumed prosperity, stability and closer economic integration by terming Asian economic community as an ‘Arc of advantage’ for large scale movement of people, capital, labour, ideas and creativity.¹⁹

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) in a recent study has argued that regional cooperation should be a high priority for Asia. It would transfer stimulus of China and India to their neighbors and create integration with promotion of commercial linkages. Former Pakistani Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz, suggests an integrated framework for intra-regional cooperation (in Asia) in strategic areas such as energy, water, food, infrastructure connectivity, investment in human capital and economic and social transformation through structural reforms.²⁰

Inter-regionalism and observer states

The role of observer states is very important in inter-regionalizing south Asia with other regional forums. Observer status of south Asian nations in ASEAN and other regional grouping can create an opportunity for SAARC to extend its cooperation with other regional organizations of Asia. The expansion of Central Asian Gateway (CAG) project to other members as for example in the case of Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) which include Afghanistan as member state, the cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan can bridge Central Asia with South Asia.

The growing interdependence among the Asian countries in different areas like economic, environmental, financial and social areas is of great impact. This cooperation is now affecting strategic and political fields which include counter-terrorism, maritime security and exchange of expertise [11]. ASEAN and SAARC may cooperate in trade, investment and finance.

Following areas could be remarkable for inter-regional cooperation. In energy sector, Central Asia and Gulf region can play a vital role. ASEAN can play a role in maritime security and economic fields. Communication and transport development can create inter–regional connectivity. In this connection the Asian Highway project of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) needs to be mentioned.²¹ SAARC can also benefit from the experiences as well as cooperation of the East Asian community (EAC), the East Asia Summit (EAS), Shangai Cooperation Organization (SCO), etc.

Today, the world is so connected that the proceedings of regional and international organizations are observed from outside. The world regions seem as global actors. In the increasing interdependence of the world no country, group of countries or organization is in a position to achieve the goals economic development and trade expansion without cooperation from other countries.²²

Foreign diplomats and delegates from different regional and international organizations attend the deliberations of different organizations as observers with a view for political, economic and cultural interaction with the member states. For example, Pakistan and Iran attend the Summit meetings of Shangai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as observers with the hope to become full–pledge members of the organization. Similarly, many countries like U.S, China, Japan and organizations like EU are joining SAARC as observers. Afghanistan has become a member of the SAARC in 2007. China, Iran and Myanmar are keen to join SAARC as full–pledge members [12].

The presence of some major powers as observers on its platform and the desire shown by an increasing number of other states to become observers or members of SAARC shows that the Asian regional grouping is attracting greater attention of international community due its growing importance as a regional trading bloc. These observers can play a positive role in Intra and inter regional cooperation for development and trade.²³ In the long run these trends will be further elaborated into efforts aimed at inter-regional and trans-regional cooperation.

Globalization is the cry of the day. It is so powerful trend that it was difficult for the world entities to take shelter under the umbrella of nationalism. The only space that was provided for the nation state system was that they could revise their status by sharing their sovereignty under regional arrangements. In the new scenario regionalism was the only way out for the state system to survive. South Asia being the inner part of the globalized world did not escape the emerging trends of globalization.

In the twenty first century it is more seriously required by the regional entities to work more closely and efficiently to make their active presence on the world stage. Regionalism today presents itself as a great remedy for nation state system for saving it from complete decay to the dawn of globalization. New emerging trends interregionalism and trans-regionalism is of great significance for regional blocs. The observer states play this role very effectively which is of greater impact for SAARC also.

¹Dr. Nayef R.F. Al-Rodhan, “Definitions of Globalization: A Comprehensive Overview and a Proposed Definition.” Discussion Paper 113 (Geneva: UNCTAD, March 1996), p. 7.

²Nayef, “Definitions of Globalization.” 1.

³Clarck I (1997) Fawcett L and Hurrell A eds. (1995).

⁴“Globalization and development,” (Brasilia: May, 2002), accessed January 2, 2013, http://www.eclac.org/publicaciones/xml/0/10030/ Globalization-intro.pdf.

⁵This means the older theories like world government, Americanization etc.

⁶Nayef, “Definitions of Globalization.” 4.

⁷Dr. Carlos J. Moreiro Ganzález, GOVERNING GLOBALISATION: The answer of Regionalism, (Brussels, 21-24 Novermber 2006), p. 2.

⁸Ibid, p.4.

⁹Albrow, Martin and Elizabeth King, Globalization, Knowledge and Society (London: Sage, 1990), 9.

¹⁰Meyer, J. W. “The World Polity and the Authority of the Nation State” in Studies of the Modern World System,” ed. A. Bergesen et al. (New York: Academic Press, 1980).

¹¹Eric Beerkens , Globalization: Definition and Perspective (composed by Beerkens, 2006), accessed December, 2012, http:// www.beerkens.info/files/globalisation.pdf. [Bech: 2000, 86]

¹²KOLODZIEJ, E. A, “Security and International Relations,” (Cambridge, 2005), http://ec.europa.eu/education/jean-monnet/doc/ confglobal06/contribution-moreiro.pdf

¹³KOLODZIEJ, E. A, “Security and International Relations,” (Cambridge, 2005), http://ec.europa.eu/education/jean-monnet/doc/ confglobal06/contribution-moreiro.pdf.

¹⁴[Carnoy: 2001]

¹⁵Berkens, “Globalization.”

¹⁶Samuel S. Kim, The Quest for a Just World Order, (Boulder, Colorado: West view, 1984), 61.

¹⁷Richard A. Folk is a professor of International Law at Princepton University and Saul Mendlovitz is a professor of Peace and World Order Studies, smendlovitz@kinoy.rutgers.edu.

¹⁸New Delhi statement on SAARC 2015 and Asian Resurgence (ed.), P. Lama (New Delhi: Concept Information), fes@fesindia.org.

¹⁹Ibid.

²⁰Ibid.

²¹Ibid, 8.

²²Dr. Rashid Ahmad Khan, “THE ROLE OF OBSERVERS IN SAARC.” IPRI Journal IX, no.2 (summer, 2009): 1–16.

²³Ibid, 4