AMN
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit scheduled in Islamabad in November this year seems to be in peril after an India and three other members are unwilling to attend it.
Sources said that Summit is all set to be postponed with four countries out of eight member grouping deciding to boycott the meet to be held in Islamabad. Beside India India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan have pulled out of the Summit scheduled to be held in November, indirectly blaming Pakistan for creating an environment which is not conducive for the successful holding of the meet.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, as per rules if any one head of state or government decides not to participate in summit, it has to be postponed. He, however, said, a formal announcement can only be made by Nepal after internal consultation. Nepal is is the current chair of SAARC.
He said it is unfortunate that Pakistan continues to pursue the path which led to this current decision.
The spokesperson added India’s commitment to SAARC to regional connectivity, contact and prosperity remains intact but it cannot conceive of summit happening amidst cross border terrorism and cross interference in internal affairs of the member countries.
Mr. Swarup said Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan have also joined India in conveying same message and it is time for Pakistan to introspect what kind of relationship it wants with SAARC countries.
India had announced last night to boycott the Summit. It conveyed to current SAARC Chair Nepal that increased cross-border terrorist attacks in the region and growing interference in internal affairs of member states by one country created environment which is not conducive to successful holding of Summit.