China may see a regional vacuum with a non-functional SAARC. But it is unlikely to succeed in filling the gap with another regional entity.

China and Pakistan are reportedly trying to create a new regional bloc that can be an alternative to the increasingly dysfunctional South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

India is likely to be excluded from the initiative.

In a meeting held in Kunming on June 19, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh apparently discussed the possibility of forming the new regional bloc to focus on economic integration, infrastructure development and regional connectivity.

India's determination to isolate Pakistan and not engage with it has negatively impacted South Asian regionalism and the regional associations built around it, namely SAARC and South Asian Free Trade Association (SAFTA).

Can the SAARC gap be filled by China? And would doing so serve China's strategic goals in the region?

SAARC has not held a formal summit since 2014, in keeping with India's position of no engagement with Pakistan, a state it accuses of supporting terrorism.

India's focus instead has been on strong bilateralism with its South Asian neighbours. So far, China has done the same by significantly building strong relations with South Asian countries.