South Asia's Pivotal Role in the Asian Century: A Deep Dive into Reformed Multilateralism and the Indo-Pacific

Introduction: Setting the Stage – The Book and the Region

In an era defined by shifting power centers and contested maritime spaces, few regions carry as much promise and peril as South Asia. The forthcoming volume Towards Reformed Multilateralism in the Era of Indo-Pacific (2026, Pentagon Press), edited by Ambassador Sujan R. Chinoy and Smruti S. Pattanaik, offers a timely and comprehensive examination of this paradox. Published under the aegis of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), the book places South Asia research at the heart of a broader inquiry into how multilateral frameworks must evolve to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

The Centre for South Asia at MP-IDSA has long focused on a region marked by both profound economic potential and persistent political and economic turmoil. From border tensions and governance deficits to climate vulnerability and uneven development, South Asia remains a test case for the viability of the Indo-Pacific vision. The core question that the book—and this article—seeks to answer is simple yet far-reaching: How does reformed multilateralism align with South Asia’s role in the projected “Asian Age”?

[IMAGE: A conceptual image combining a stylized map of South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region with faint lines connecting major cities and sea lanes. In the foreground, a glowing economic growth bar chart rises, while an open book silhouette hovers above, casting a soft blue light. No text, no watermark, photorealistic style with a dark blue and gold color palette.]

The Economic Backbone: Asia’s Rise and the 2040 Projections

The numbers are staggering and well-documented. According to projections cited in Towards Reformed Multilateralism in the Era of Indo-Pacific, Asia is expected to generate more than 50% of global GDP by 2040 and account for nearly 40% of global consumption. These figures, drawn from MP-IDSA’s research and authoritative economic models, signal the arrival of what many analysts now call the “Asian Century.” But the distribution of this growth is far from uniform.

The underlying drivers are familiar: demographic dividends in countries like India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan; technological leapfrogging in digital payments, renewable energy, and manufacturing; and a steady, if uneven, increase in intra-regional trade. Yet South Asia’s share of this projected prosperity remains contingent on overcoming structural bottlenecks. Infrastructure deficits, protectionist tendencies, and political instability have historically kept the region from realizing its full economic potential.

For policymakers and strategists, the 2040 projection is both a warning and an opportunity. If South Asia can harness reformed multilateralism—through mechanisms like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) reforms, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), and new Indo-Pacific economic corridors—it could become a manufacturing and services hub that complements Southeast and East Asia. If not, the region risks being left behind while the center of gravity shifts further east.

[IMAGE: Infographic showing GDP growth projections for Asia vs. other regions (Europe, North America, Africa) with South Asia highlighted in a distinct color. Bars extending to 2040 with percentage labels.]

South Asia Under the Microscope: Turmoil, Research, and Policy Gaps

Why does MP-IDSA dedicate a specialized research centre to South Asia? The answer lies in the region’s dual nature: it is home to nearly a quarter of the world’s population, yet it remains one of the least integrated regions globally. Trade among South Asian nations accounts for only about 5% of their total trade, a fraction of what intra-ASEAN trade achieves. Political upheavals—whether in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka—continually disrupt efforts at cooperation.

The Centre for South Asia’s research agenda grapples with these realities. Its scholars examine conflict resolution, border management, water sharing, counterterrorism, and governance deficits—all of which are central to the region’s stability. The book Towards Reformed Multilateralism in the Era of Indo-Pacific directly addresses this tension: how can a region mired in turmoil contribute to—and benefit from—a peaceful, multilateral Indo-Pacific?

The answer, the editors argue, lies in institutional innovation. Traditional frameworks like the United Nations or ASEAN were designed for a different geopolitical era. They are often slow, consensus-bound, and ill-equipped to handle the speed and complexity of contemporary challenges. Reformed multilateralism, as the book defines it, seeks to create new norms and institutions—or reform existing ones—to better align with the realities of rising powers, economic corridors, and overlapping security threats.

[IMAGE: Photo of a think-tank roundtable with analysts and diplomats seated around a table with nameplates, a map of South Asia visible on a screen in the background. Alternatively, a composite image of South Asian flags with a subtle overlay of network lines.]

Reformed Multilateralism: A New Blueprint for the Indo-Pacific Era

What exactly does “reformed multilateralism” mean in the context of the Indo-Pacific? The book offers a nuanced definition: it is not a wholesale rejection of existing multilateral bodies, but rather a pragmatic adaptation of governance structures to address gaps in representation, efficiency, and scope. For example, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and minilateral groupings like the India-France-Australia trilateral are all experiments in reformed multilateralism.

The editors, Amb. Sujan R. Chinoy—a former diplomat with deep experience in Asian affairs—and Smruti S. Pattanaik—a leading South Asia expert—bring complementary perspectives. Chinoy’s diplomatic background informs the book’s strategic realism, while Pattanaik’s academic rigor ensures a grounded understanding of regional dynamics. Together, they propose a blueprint that places South Asia at the center of Indo-Pacific governance.

Key elements of this blueprint include:

• Adaptive security architectures: Moving beyond Cold War-era alliances to flexible, issue-based coalitions that can respond to maritime security, cyber threats, and terrorism.
• Economic corridor integration: Linking South Asia’s infrastructure projects—such as India’s Sagar Mala, Bangladesh’s deep-sea ports, and Sri Lanka’s Colombo port—with broader Indo-Pacific supply chains.
• Inclusive norm-setting: Ensuring that smaller South Asian states have a voice in shaping rules on data flows, digital trade, and climate finance.

The book does not shy away from the difficult questions. How can reformed multilateralism address the India-China rivalry, which has a direct impact on South Asian stability? How can institutions like SAARC be revitalized when bilateral tensions paralyze decision-making? The answers offered are pragmatic: start with functional cooperation in areas like disaster management, health security, and renewable energy, then build trust gradually.

[IMAGE: A stylized network diagram showing interconnected nodes labeled with key multilateral institutions (Quad, IPEF, SAARC, BIMSTEC, UN) with arrows indicating reform pathways. South Asia region highlighted in warm colors.]

Conclusion: Charting a Course for the Asian Age

The coming decades will test whether South Asia can transform from a region of turmoil into a cornerstone of the Asian Century. The projections are clear: by 2040, Asia will dominate the global economy, and South Asia will be an indispensable part of that story—if it can overcome its internal fractures.

Towards Reformed Multilateralism in the Era of Indo-Pacific offers a roadmap. It acknowledges that the old multilateral order is fraying, but it does not advocate for its abandonment. Instead, it calls for a deliberate, research-backed evolution of institutions and norms. For policymakers, strategists, and scholars, the message is urgent: the time to rethink multilateralism is now, and South Asia must have a seat at the table.

MP-IDSA’s Centre for South Asia will continue to provide the analytical depth needed to navigate these complexities. As the region grapples with political transitions, economic disparities, and geopolitical competition, the insights from this forthcoming book—and the broader research ecosystem it represents—will be indispensable.

The Asian Age is coming. Whether South Asia leads, follows, or is left behind depends on the reforms we undertake today.

[IMAGE: A sunset panorama over the Indian Ocean with cargo ships and a distant naval vessel, symbolizing the intersection of trade, security, and the Indo-Pacific concept. No text, photorealistic style with warm golden and deep blue tones.]