SAARC Summit postponed after India’s boycott: reports

Reports emanating from Nepalese media are significant as Nepal is the Chair of the eight-member grouping. India has already communicated its decision to Nepal. The summit is automatically postponed or cancelled even if one member country skips the event.

SAARC Summit will be postponed since 4 nations have decided to not attend SAARC Summit in Islamabad, there’s no other way: Vikas Swarup, MEA pic.twitter.com/ysCED6O48Q

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 28, 2016

SAARC rule position is very clear, any one head of state or Govt decides not to participate in SAARC Summit, it has to be postponed: Swarup

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 28, 2016

However, a formal announcement can only be made by Nepal after they have done their internal consultation: Vikas Swarup, MEA

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 28, 2016

Tensions between India and Pakistan are growing after militants stormed an Indian Army base in Uri on September 18, killing 18 soldiers.

Besides India, three other SAARC members – Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan – have pulled out of the summit, indirectly blaming Pakistan for “creating an environment which is not right for the successful holding” of the meet.

Founded in 1985, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) currently has Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka as its members.