ABSTRACT
The economic and leadership importance of South Asia is rising as the centre of global economy is shifting towards Asia from the west. This growing importance provides an opportune crossroads for South Asia to meet the challenges of poverty, peace and environmental degradation that is facing its region and the world, and increase its economic and political standing in the global economy. For its economic standing, economic integration is of the utmost importance, as it will enable South Asia to rival China economically and it will account for one of the largest trading blocks in the world.
