Closing ceremony of 18th SAARC Summit underway

The concluding ceremony of the 18th SAARC Summit started shortly after the heads of state and government of SAARC member countries returned from their retreat at Dhulikhel, about 20 kilometers away from Kathmandu.

SAARC leaders with the exception of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had gone to the Dwarikas Resort in Kavre District for a retreat this morning.

All the VVIPs, except Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were flown by Nepal Army helicopters. Modi flew on an Indian Air Force helicopter which he brought with himself to Kathmandu.

The Heads of State and Government from SAARC nations returned to the Nepal capital this afternoon, Kantipur Online reports.

SAARC Chairman and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala announced the beginning of the closed session of the summit at 4 p.m.

The closed session will fix the country and the date for the 19th SAARC Summit, which is expected to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan. Then, the delegation heads will jointly release the declaration of the 18th SAARC Summit.

Prime Minister Koirala is reported to have delivered the concluding speech from 4.09 p.m. The head of the state or government holding the next summit will give a vote of thanks.

The Summit formally comes to an end with the PM's announcement.

After the conclusion, the delegation heads will have a photo session to be later joined by the foreign ministers and secretaries of the Saarc nations.