“While SAARC practice has been to abstain from involvement in bilateral issues of a political nature, we must resist external manipulations,” President Rajapaksa said. “It would be morally in keeping with the SAARC spirit to join forces against external threats on member states.”
He made these remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the 18th SAARC Summit held at the Rashtriya Sabha Griha (City Hall) this morning in Kathmandu, Nepal.
All eight Heads of State/Government of the countries constituting the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) were present: President Rajapaksa, President of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bhutan Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, President of Maldives Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Prime Minister of Nepal Sushil Koirala and Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif.
The Summit this year is taking place under the theme of “Deeper Integration for Peace and Prosperity.” The leaders, in their speeches, discussed a number of different issues pertaining to the region, but one recurring topic was the threat of terrorism, along with the need for greater security and more collaboration as a region on fighting this menace.
“Terrorism has spread across all borders,” said Prime Minister Tobgay, stressing that SAARC nations need to work together “to prevent, combat and eliminate terrorism in all its manifestations.”
Afghan President Ghani also stated that he “won’t let anyone use our land against our neighbors.”
Prime Minister Modi called on SAARC nations to make a commitment to “combat terrorism and transnational crime.”
Following the statements of SAARC country heads, representatives of SAARC observer countriesmade statements. The countries represented at this Summit included Australia, China, Iran, Japan,Republic of Korea, Myanmar, United States and the European Union.
The Chairmanship of SAARC was handed over by the outgoing Chairperson President Gayoom to the incoming Chairperson Prime Minister Koirala.
Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Mrs.Kshenuka Senewiratne and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Nepal Mr. W.M. Senevirathna were a part of the delegation that accompanied President Rajapaksa at the Summit.(KH/IMU)
