Question : Status of SAARC

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether due to sponsoring of terrorism and blocking of inter – SAARC Projects, Pakistan is increasingly isolated from the SAARC group of nations and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the SAARC nations, namely India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka have ignored and refused to attend the SAARC meet proposed to be held in Karachi recently and if so, the details of the stand taken by each of these countries;

(c) whether Pakistan intends to bring about a larger conglomeration of nations into the SAARC and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to counter Pakistan’s attempts in this direction?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) Several SAARC Member States expressed their inability to participate in the 19th SAARC Summit that was scheduled in November 2016 in Pakistan due to concerns arising from increasing cross border terrorist attacks in the region and growing interference in the internal affairs of members states by one country. Members have also expressed concern at key SAARC connectivity initiatives getting delayed due to lack of response by the same country. As a result of its actions leading to these developments, this country stands isolated.

(b) As per information available, no inter-governmental SAARC meeting has been held in Karachi recently.

(c) & (d) In SAARC, cooperation with observers is undertaken where required capacity and expertise are not available in the region and such cooperation is to be demand driven and project based. Currently no proposal for expansion of Membership / Observers is under discussion.