BIMSTEC as an alternative to SAARC and Pakistan's role

[Indrajit]

Dealing or not is ones own prerogative but you cant underestimate another especially with you're at odds with.. You cant just say Pakistan doesn't have the interests of it's people, sure the focus may have been on internal security matters in recent years, But as things hopefully stabilize there , It's resources will be directed elsewhere as welfare

Pakistan not being included is not a matter of choice by India, the Pakistanis are the ones blocking trade deals within SAARC to the point that some member countries have little choice but to look at alternatives. BIMSTEC is one such, BBIN is one with some SAARC members alone. SAARC can work anytime the Pakistanis wish it to, if they don't want it, countries that are interested have to find a way to do what they want, to the extent they can which may, by necessity, have to bypass Pakistan or use other forums where Pakistan can't play the spoiler.