Bangladesh, July 7 -- Dhaka has called for a renewed and pragmatic effort to revitalise the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), arguing that rebuilding political trust among member states is essential if the region is to realise its vast economic, strategic and developmental potential.

Speaking at a seminar titled "Rebuilding Trust, Renewing Regional Integration: Pathways for Revitalising SAARC" organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) on Monday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said South Asia remained one of the least integrated regions in the world despite its immense human, cultural and economic strengths.

"We meet at a time when regional cooperat...