Indo-Pakistan conflict puts off 19th SAARC summit

The SAARC summit scheduled for November 9 and 10 in Islamabad has been postponed. It will now be held on an alternate date. Pakistan announced on Friday that the summit would not be held as scheduled.

“A new set of dates for holding of the 19th SAARC Summit at Islamabad will be announced soon, through the Chair of SAARC (Nepal). Accordingly we have conveyed the same to the Prime Minister of Nepal, the current Chair of SAARC,” a press release from the office of the Spokesperson of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Meanwhile, the government of Sri Lanka made an announcement yesterday (30th) stating Sri Lanka would not be particicpating as all counties have failed to agree to have the summit in Islamabad as scheduled.

A frictaion has developed between India and Pakistan after Pakistan forces attacked an Indian Army camp in Jambu Kashmir.

The SAARC member states include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and the Maldives.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the SAARC Charter required that decisions at all levels were taken on the basis of unanimity, and this applied to the convening of meetings of heads of state or government of SAARC member states as well.

The statement states, “Sri Lanka condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and stresses in this regard, the need to deal with the issue of terrorism in the region in a decisive manner.”