The onset of COVID-19 has exposed grave vulnerabilities in the international political and economic order. South Asia—a geostrategically significant region with visible growth in recent years—stands economically beleaguered by the pandemic. According to the World Bank, the region is poised to have its worst economic performance in the past 40 years. Tourism has dried up, supply chains have been disrupted, demand for garment exports has collapsed, and consumer and investor confidence has deteriorated. Therefore, it is no surprise that most South Asian countries are predicted to experience negative growth this year. India, the regional heavyweight, is facing security challenges on its northern border with China, a strained health system and increasing economic uncertainty as it struggles to ease the coronavirus curbs. Likewise, the surge in cases in Pakistan and Bangladesh have rapidly overwhelmed the health and economic infrastructures.

This situation raises questions such as: What is the current economic outlook for South Asia? How can the region work towards improving the socio-economic and environmental conditions in the post-COVID world? Should leaders and policy-makers take a "restart" or "reset" approach towards economic recovery? As COVID-19 has pushed the world towards digital connectivity, how can the region realize its potential in the field of digital economy? Can greater cooperation and integration between member states pave the way for a better economic future?