Bhutan, Afghanistan & B’desh cite terror, to skip Saarc summit

NEW DELHI/KATHMANDU: India’s efforts to isolate Pakistan over terrorism got a boost on Wednesday with Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan also deciding to skip the Saarc Summit in Islamabad in November, setting the stage for the postponement of the meet.

In a synchronised effort, India and the three countries informed the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation’s (Saarc) secretariat on Tuesday their leaders would be unable to attend the summit for almost similar reasons.

For India, this marked a victory as half of the grouping’s eight members singled out terror and interference in the internal affairs of members by “onecountry”— a clear reference to Pakistan.

The withdrawals mean the summit cannot go ahead as the Saarc Charter states all decisions must be made by unanimity.

Bangladesh conveyed its decision to current Saarc chair Nepal in a letter that said: “The growing interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh 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.

Dhaka has repeatedly complained about Islamabad’s criticism of the trial and conviction of hardliners involved in war crimes in 1971.

Afghanistan, in its communication, said: “Due to increased level of violence and fighting as a result of imposed terrorism on Afghanistan, (President) Ashraf Ghani with his responsibilities as the Commander-in-Chief will be fully engaged, and will not be able to attend the Summit.”

Bhutan referred to the “recent escalation of terrorism in the region” and said this has “seriously compromised the environment for the successful holding” of the summit in Islamabad.

Nepal’s acting foreign secretary Jhabindra Aryal told HT his ministry had received letters from four member states about their inability to join the summit. A formal announcement about the summit will be made after Nepal’s foreign minister and foreign secretary return from a visit to the US.

A senior Nepalese official said, “It is also the responsibility of Pakistan to reach out to the member states and make (an effort) to hold the summit,” said the official who didn’t want to be named.

In a bid to increase pressure on Pakistan, Indian officials said the Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s headquarter should be shifted from Islamabad. They suggested it could be based anywhere in the region but not Pakistan, where entry for Indians is not easy.

However, the Maldives and Sri Lanka were silent on the developments.