New Delhi – India was joined by Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan in deciding not to take part in the forthcoming South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit in Islamabad.
Bangladesh has informed Nepal, which currently chairs the association.
“Growing interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh by one country has created an environment which is not conducive to the successful hosting of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016. Bangladesh, as the initiator of the SAARC process, remains steadfast in its commitments to regional cooperation, connectivity and contacts but believes that these can only go forward in a more congenial atmosphere. In view of the above, Bangladesh in unable to participate in the proposed Summit in Islamabad,” a letter from the Bangladesh to SAARC Chair Nepal reads.
The letter from the Bhutan government to SAARC Chair Nepal said that, “The Royal Government of Bhutan shares the concerns of some of the member countries on the deterioration of regional peace and security due to terrorism and joins them in conveying our inability to participate in the SAARC Summit, under the current circumstances.”
“Due to increased level of violence and fighting which resulted from the imposition of terrorism in Afghanistan, the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani with his responsibilities as the Commander in Chief will be fully engaged and will not be able to attend the Summit,” the letter send by the Afghan government to SAARC Chair Nepal said.
Earlier on Tuesday, India expressed its displeasure in taking part in the SAARC Summit.
Therefore in the prevailing circumstances, the Islamabad SAARC Summit is unlikely to happen, although the final decision will be taken by the current SAARC Chair Nepal.
“After the boycott by four countries, we would most certainly call off the Summit. It will be conveyed in due course,” Nepal-based sources told Sputnik.
