India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan have joined hands to ensure cooperation in some of the crucial areas such as power, road connectivity, trade facilitation and movement of goods and services as SAARC has not been able to make progress in these areas due to Pakistan's opposition.
All the four countries have already held preliminary talks to remove some of the hurdles to boost trade and spur economic growth.
India has been pressing for having greater cooperation in certain areas among the SAARC nations to unlock economic potential of the region but the grouping has not been able to make forward movement on the issue.
In their talks, the four countries, discussed ways to having cooperation in power transmission, trade facilitation, sharing flood date and ensuring movement of people and goods.
All the four countries have already finalised a Motor Vehicle Agreement with an aim to encourage people-to-people contact and movement of goods.
In the SAARC summit in Kathmandu in November last year, the much awaited motor vehicle pact could not be signed due to opposition from Pakistan.
Pakistan's opposition to connectivity pact came notwithstanding strong push by all member countries to have these pacts for greater transport links in the region.
