Not the first time India has caused harm to SAARC, says PM Nawaz Sharif
PM Nawaz Sharif is currently in the Maldives to celebrate the country's 52nd Independence Day
PM Nawaz Sharif
As President Abdulla Yameen and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vow to work together to make SAARC 'a vibrant organization,' the PM has accused India of 'harming' the organization.
Prime Minister Sharif is currently on a three-day visit to the Maldives to participate in the country's 52nd Independence Day celebrations as the chief guest.
Following his arrival on Tuesday, talks were held between Sharif and President Yameen, where six MoUs were signed between both parties in areas of mutual interest; including capacity building in foreign service, tourism, climate change, trade, education and civil service cooperation.
Speaking to the press afterwards, Sharif accused India of 'undermining and violating the spirit of the SAARC charter by casting shadows of bilateral issues, and problems on multilateral forum for regional cooperation'.
He highlighted that this is the fourth occasion in which India has 'caused harm to SAARC by seeking postponement'.
The PM's comments are directed towards India's decision to boycott the 19th SAARC Summit, which was scheduled to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan in November 2017.
Following India's announcement to boycott the Summit, saying that 'the increasing cross-border attacks in the region and growing interference in the internal affairs of SAARC member-states by one country have created an environment that was not conducive to the successful holding of the 19th SAARC Summit'. Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Bangladesh too followed suit shortly.
However, Maldives had stood by Pakistan, calling on all member states 'to create an environment conducive to hold the Summit', with Sharif thanking President Yameen for the 'support regarding the SAARC Summit in Islamabad'.
During Tuesday's press conference, President Abdulla Yameen noted that PM Sharif's presence in Maldives to celebrate the country's Independence Day 'is a true reflection of the long-standing strong bonds of friendship and understanding that [the] two countries continue to enjoy'.
