Saarc summit likely in May or June

26 Apr, 2005

The twice-postponed Saarc summit is likely to be held in May or June this year in Dhaka as India has expressed its readiness to participate in it anytime after May 13 after the end of marathon ongoing Budget session. India had conveyed its mind when External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh held discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart Morshed Khan in Jakarta on April 23 where both the leaders were present for the Asian-African Summit, official sources have been quoted as saying here.
The summit was postponed twice, once in January following the December 26 Tsunami tragedy and again in February when India pulled out because of the political developments in Nepal and the security situation in Bangladesh.
India wanted Bangladesh to consult other members of the seven-member regional grouping when it would be convenient for all of them to meet in a relaxed atmosphere to discuss issues concerning South Asian Region, said a news report.
India's willingness for the summit comes close on the heels of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's rendezvous with King Gyanendra of Nepal on the margins of the Jakarta Summit.
Pakistan is the current Chairman of South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) and the chairmanship would go to Bangladesh after it hosts the 13th Summit.

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