RCSS receives Chatham House Senior Research Fellow for discussion on South Asian regionalism

Thursday, 28 May 2026 05:46 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Dr. Chietigj Bajpaee, Senior Research Fellow for South Asia, Asia-Pacific Program at Chatham House, visited the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies on 26 May 2026 and met with the ED/RCSS, Ambassador (Retd.) Ravinatha Aryasinha, and researchers at the Centre. The discussion focused on Regionalism in South Asia and evolving geopolitical developments in the region.

Ambassador Aryasinha detailed the recent and ongoing initiatives undertaken by the RCSS and its wide Alumni Network spread throughout the region in strengthening South Asian solidarity. Dr. Bajpaee impressed on the need to consider alternative forms of regional cooperation in South Asia given the absence of India–Pakistan

normalisation, resulting in the stagnation of SAARC and the growing pull towards external regional frameworks such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The two parties explored possibilities beyond state-led regionalism, including stronger networks among civil society, think tanks, diaspora groups, and business communities, as well as thematic “mini-lateral” cooperation on issues such as climate adaptation and maritime governance.

Chamika Wijesuriya, Ms. Thedini Herath, and Shayan Peris, Research/program Officers at RCSS, were associated with the discussion.