India Responds to Muizzu's SAARC Summit Call, Stresses Terror-Free Cooperation
29 ޖުލައި 2026 | ބުދަ 08:14Following President Muizzu’s call to resume SAARC summits, India has asserted that regional cooperation can only be established in an environment of good faith, free from the threat of terrorism. Although the President expressed the Maldives' readiness to act as a mediator in this process, India responded by stating that it is clear to all which nation’s actions continue to obstruct the progress of SAARC.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu are pictured walking together ahead of their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India. | getty images
Following President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s call to resume the biennial SAARC Summit, India reiterated on Tuesday that regional cooperation can only flourish in an environment of goodwill, noting that specific factors continue to hinder the process. Member states, including the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Nepal, have periodically advocated for the revival of the SAARC Summits, which have remained suspended since 2016.
Indian External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India remains a strong advocate for regional cooperation and has been working towards this goal for many years. He noted that all South Asian nations are well aware of which country’s actions are obstructing the progress of SAARC. The spokesperson made these remarks in response to a journalist's question regarding President Muizzu’s call to "revitalize" SAARC for the sake of regional peace and security.
Speaking at the official ceremony held in Male' to mark the Maldives' 61st Independence Day, President Muizzu emphasized the urgent need to revitalize the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). He called upon member states to resolve their differences through constructive dialogue. Furthermore, the President highlighted that the Maldives stands ready to serve as a mediator to find a solution to the current deadlock facing the organization.
President Muizzu stated that SAARC leaders must work towards a point where the association's summits can be resumed. "The Maldives calls upon those with differing views to set aside their disagreements and prioritize friendship for the sake of regional development and peace by returning to the negotiating table. If this endeavor proves challenging, the Maldives stands ready to take the initiative and serve as a mediator to facilitate these discussions," the President said.
President Muizzu further stated that his administration's foreign policy is rooted in the conviction that resorting to violence and force to resolve disputes will never yield a lasting solution. He also emphasized that revitalizing SAARC is crucial for maintaining regional peace and security. However, India has repeatedly maintained that it is difficult to convene a summit under the current climate of heightened tensions. India identifies Pakistan's continued support for cross-border terrorism as the primary obstacle to moving forward with the regional organization.
