India not to participate in SAARC Summit in Islamabad: MEA

Uncertainty over Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the 19th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Islamabad in November ended on Tuesday with India conveying the current SAARC Chair Nepal that in the prevailing circumstances, the Government of India is unable to participate in the proposed Summit.

"India has conveyed to the current SAARC Chair Nepal that increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in the region and growing interference in the internal affairs of member states by 'one country' have created an environment that is not conducive to the successful holding of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November," said Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Vikas Swarup in response to a question.

 

"Though India remains steadfast in its commitment to regional cooperation, connectivity and contacts, it believes that these can only go forward in an atmosphere free of terror. In the prevailing circumstances, the Government of India is unable to participate in the proposed Summit in Islamabad," Swarup added.

"We also understand that some other SAARC Member States have also conveyed their reservation about attending the Islamabad Summit in November," Swarup added.

Other countries skipping SAARC summit in Pakistan are Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan.