PM Narendra Modi refuses to attend SAARC summit in Pakistan

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Published on: 27 Sep 2016 5:31 PM GMT
PM Narendra Modi refuses to attend SAARC summit in Pakistan
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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not mark his presence at the 19th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit which is to be held from 9-10 November in Pakistani city of Islamabad.

“Following the prevailing circumstances, India will not take part in SAARC summit in the Pakistani capital,” said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement.

India has conveyed to Nepal – the current SAARC Chair – that the increasing cross-border terrorism as well as growing interference in internal affairs of the country by Pakistan have been the prime reasons behind India skipping the summit. According to sources, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh will also not participate in the SAARC summit in Islamabad.

It may be recalled that the Indo-Pak tension caught fire after as many as 17 soldiers were killed by four Pakistani militants who carried out an attack on the 12th brigade headquarters of the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir’s Uri sector on September 18 last.

Also Read: India, China hold first key dialogue to fight against terrorism

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