After India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan also pull out of SAARC summit in Pak

New Delhi: After India decided to pull out of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Pakistan on Tuesday, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Bhutan have also followed suit.

According to reports, in its communication to the current SAARC chair, Nepal, Bangladesh 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.
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."

Afghanistan has also conveyed to the SAARC Chair that President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani would not be able to attend the summit.

"Due to increased level of violence and fighting as a result of imposed terrorism on Afghanistan", President Ghani "with his responsibilities as the Commander in Chief will be fully engaged, and will not be able to attend the Summit", a communication by the country said.

Bhutan said while it is committed to the SAARC process and strengthening of regional cooperation, it is concerned over the "recent escalation of terrorism in the region, which has seriously compromised the environment for the successful holding of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016."

"Further, the Royal Government of Bhutan shares the concerns of some of the member countries of SAARC on the deterioration of regional peace and security due to terrorism and joins them in conveying our inability to participate in the SAARC Summit, under the current circumstances."

India on Tuesday pulled out of SAARC summit to be held in Pakistan in November, saying that the current atmosphere was not conductive for holding a successful summit.

The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement, saying, "India has conveyed to 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 2016."

"In the prevailing circumstances, the Government of India is unable to participate in the proposed Summit in Islamabad", the statement said.

The 19th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit is scheduled to be held in Islamabad from November 9 to 10.

Diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan have been rising since the September 18 attack on an Army base in Jammu and Kashmir’s Uri that killed 18 Indian soldiers.

India's stand on Tuesday came barely a week after Pakistan had snubbed India by sending junior officials to the SAARC meet which was held in Delhi earlier this month.