No proposal on expansion of SAARC membership: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said that there has been no proposal on the expansion of SAARC membership.

"There has been no proposal on the expansion of SAARC membership. The proposal on table was to consider the observers as dialogue partners," said MEA official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.

Talking about the energy pact, Akbaruddin said that it will enable all SAARC countries to trade in electricity.

"The atmosphere was very comfortable in the retreat, pleasant courtesies were exchanged. We are going back very satisfied with the outcome of this Summit. The energy pact is a framework pact which will enable all SAARC countries to trade in energy. The Prime Minister has made it clear that we should focus on electricity trade as commodity trade," Akbaruddin said.

"It is normal for power producing organizations to further work on this. As far as we are concerned, where we can share electricity as a commodity we will share. We have been doing that with several of our leaders. Let us treat this as an ordinary commodity that is available," he added.

Meanwhile, Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that SAARC members will take every possible measure to develop the transmission lines for the energy pact.

"The energy pact is aimed at distribution and transmission of electricity. Under the agreement, the SAARC members have agreed that public and private entities of the member states should be allowed to buy and sell electricity within the region. The governments will also take every possible measure to develop the transmission lines for that purpose," said Nepal Foreign Ministry spokesperson Khagnath Adhikari.

With the issuing of Kathmandu Declaration, the 18th SAARC Summit concludes at Kathmandu this evening. Chairperson Sushil Koirala announced that the 19th SAARC Summit will be held at Islamabad in 2016.