Nepal regrets postponement of SAARC, to initiate consultation for recommencement

Nepal said Sunday that it regrets the postponement of the 19th SAARC Summit that was to be held in Islamabad next month as the present environment is not conducive.

"Nepal regrets that regional environment is not conducive to host the 19th SAARC Summit scheduled for 9 and 10 November 2016 in Islamabad. The host country, Pakistan, has informed the Chair of SAARC of the postponement of the 19th SAARC Summit," said a statement issued by the Nepal Foreign Ministry.

The statement said that as the current chair of SAARC, Nepal underscores the need for creating a conducive regional environment for the Summit and for this it will initiate necessary consultation with the participation of all member states.

It said that Kathmandu believes that an environment of peace and stability is essential for a meaningful regional cooperation.

"To achieve peace and stability in the region, SAARC member states must, among others, ensure that their respective territories are not used by terrorists for cross border terrorism," said the statement.

It also condemned the attack on the Indian Army base camp in Uri saying, "It condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and expresses its solidarity in the global fight against terrorism. Most recently, Nepal has condemned the terrorist attack on Indian army base in Uri, Kashmir on September 18, 2016, that resulted in the loss of life of Indian soldiers.