Why did SAARC fail to become the force for regional cooperation it was envisioned to be? In this conversation, Dr Shashi Tharoor and Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe debate the future of South Asian cooperation, India-Nepal ties and the role of culture in diplomacy. Tharoor argues that Pakistan’s obstruction and SAARC’s consensus-based structure made meaningful progress difficult, pushing India towards alternatives such as BIMSTEC. The panel also debates the idea of a ‘Ramakrishna-Buddha Alliance’ and why India must engage with Nepal as a sovereign and equal partner.