Conclusion

“Region” as a concept is particularly debated with very little unanimity among scholars about its exact connotation. While some definitions emphasise upon geographical contiguity, others give credence to the cognitive and ideational aspects. “South Asia” became a part of the regional vocabulary in a formal sense with the establishment of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in 1985, prior to which, though contested, “India” or “the Indian subcontinent,” grounded on the notion of “civilisational unity” and “historical continuity,” was the more popular coinage. “South Asia” emerged as the politically amicable, non-partisan term, which was acceptable to the states of the region, in contrast to “the Indian subcontinent,” “Bharat Barsha,” etc., which were intrinsically linked with India.