SAARC nations discuss issue of power shortage in the region

Interconnectivity is welcome and for this a regional framework within SAARC can be extended further, says Salman Bashir, Ambassador of Pakistan to India

Five SAARC countries, including India and Pakistan, today discussed the issue of power shortage in the region.

In a panel discussion here today, the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries spoke on the issues in the power sector.

"Development of energy sector is at top priority in Pakistan. We would welcome interconnectivity and for this a regional framework within SAARC can be extended further," Salman Bashir, Ambassador of Pakistan to India, said, adding that it is the time to move beyond politics.

"At present 5,000 MW is required in Afghanistan whereas generation is only 150 MW, the country is importing 840 MW of power," Shaida Mohammad Abdali, Ambassador of Afghanistan to India said.

However, Bangladesh showed some optimism as Tariq A Karim, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India said that the new power link between India and Bangladesh has 500 MW capacity of which 250 MW will start flowing very shortly.

Prasad Kariyawasam, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India added that Sri Lanka has 10,000 MW wind generation potential. Not all of this can be used and there would be a surplus which can be traded in SAARC region.