Now, Afghanistan pulls out of SAARC Summit in Islamabad

After India said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be going to Islamabad to attend the 19th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit, scheduled to take place in November, Afghanistan has also pulled out of the meet.

Sources said Afghanistan has communicated its inability to attend to current SAARC chair Nepal, saying, "Due to increased level of violence and fighting as a result of imposed terrorism on Afghanistan, H.E. the President of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani with his responsibilities as the Commander in Chief will be fully engaged, and will not be able to attend the Summit."

Earlier, Bangladesh and Bhutan had also expressed their inability to participate in the meet.

While confirming about its non-participation, the Bangladesh Government sources said, "The growing interference in the internal affairs of Dhaka 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 commitment 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 is unable to participate in the proposed Summit in Islamabad," the sources added.

Bhutan sources have also cited similar reasons for pulling out of the summit.

The SAARC summit cannot take place even if one of the eight members withdraws.

India on Tuesday announced that it would not attend the summit conveying the current SAARC Chair Nepal that in the prevailing circumstances, the Government of India is unable to participate in the proposed Summit.