Regionalism in South Asia in this book has been seen as a process for spreading cooperation in the region, comprising eight states- Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka (during the study period Afghanistan was not member of SAARC Naturally Afghanistan could not be brought into the analysis). As the process of cooperation in this region functionalist line has been adopted. The objective is to cooperate with one another to address the problems of common concern with a confidence that through collaboration of the regional states solution to the problems is possible. The objective of the study is to have a critique on the regional process in South-Asia through the criteria derived from functionalism (of integration theory of regionalism). In this book how far the process is compatible to the adopted functionalist line and whether the envisaged spread and enhancement of cooperation in attitude, behavior and institution or organization are really happening are the vital thrust areas. Thus, as the tool of analysis, a theoretical framework of functionalism has been used. The state, people, and their culture, and their needs and limitations have come across in the analysis, with a special emphasis on the emancipation of the masses from poverty and underdevelopment.
