Bangladesh, Bhutan with India, pull out of SAARC summit

New Delhi: India's campaign to isolate Pakistan in the wake of Uri terror attack received thumbs up in the South Asia region as Bangladesh and Bhutan have also announced their decision to boycott the SAARC summit being hosted by Islamabad in November. In identical letters written by Dhaka and Thimpu to the SAARC chair Nepal, both the countries have expressed their inability to attend the summit in Islamabad in view of the prevailing circumstances. Afghanistan has already given a call to boycott the SAARC summit in Islamabad to isolate Pakistan for harboring and exporting terrorism.

"Bangladesh, as the initiator of the SAARC process, remains steadfast in its commitment to regional cooperation, connectivity and contacts ,but believes that these can only go forward in a more congenial atmosphere,"Bangladesh government said in a communication. "In view of the above, Bangladesh is unable to participate in the proposed Summit in Islamabad," it said. Taking a similar line Bhutan government said in its communication to the SAARC chair that Thimpu has a strong commitment to the SAARC process and strengthening of regional cooperation, but it was concerned on the recent escalation of terrorism in the region, which has seriously compromised the environment for the successful holding of the 19th SAARC summit in Islamabad in November.

 "Further, the Royal Government of Bhutan shares the concerns of some of the member countries of SAARC on the deterioration of regional peace and security due to terrorism and joins them in conveying our inability to participate in the SAARC summit, under the current circumstances," the communication said. (UNI)