As a major blow to the state of Pakistan post Uri attack, Bangladesh has confirmed that it will not participate in the SAARC summit which is scheduled in November 2016 at Islamabad.
The statement comes officially from the Bangladesh foreign ministry which has conveyed to the current SAARC Chair Nepal that Pakistan’s increasing interference in the domestic affairs is inmical to the interest of Bangladesh and under such circumstances it is not possible toparticipate in the summit at Islamabad.
MEA spokeperson Vikas Swarup while addressing the question said, “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”, said Swarup. However Swarup maintained that India’s committment to regional cooperation, connectivity and contacts can only remain steadfast only in an atmosphere of free terror.
After the attack at an army camp at Uri on September 18, Pakistan has been facing diplomatic and international pressure from all over the world. Sources have confirmed that Afghanistan and Bhutan are reconsidering their positions whether to attend the SAARC summit or not.