New Delhi: India has responded to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s call to revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), saying effective regional cooperation requires goodwill among member states.
Speaking at a regular media briefing, India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi has supported strong regional cooperation for several decades.
“When it comes to regional cooperation, India favours strong regional cooperation and has been working towards it for several decades now,” Jaiswal said.
“Everyone in South Asia is aware of which country and what activities are actually stymieing SAARC. After all, cooperation does require goodwill,” he added.
Although Jaiswal did not name Pakistan directly, his remarks were widely understood as a reference to longstanding tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly over cross-border terrorism.
The comments followed President Muizzu’s appeal for SAARC members to resolve their differences through dialogue and resume high-level engagement within the regional organisation.
Addressing the Maldives’ official 61st Independence Day ceremony on Sunday, President Muizzu said SAARC had remained largely inactive for approximately nine years despite its importance to regional peace, security and development.
He called on member states with differing positions to return to the negotiating table, prioritise regional development and work together in a spirit of cooperation.
President Muizzu also said the Maldives was prepared to take the initiative and serve as a mediator if assistance was required to advance discussions among member states.
The President’s Office said the proposal reflected the Maldives’ foreign policy position that disputes should be resolved peacefully through consultation and dialogue.
SAARC comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The last SAARC Summit was held in Kathmandu in 2014. A summit scheduled to take place in Pakistan in 2016 was cancelled amid disagreements among member states.
Bangladesh has also recently expressed support for strengthening regional cooperation through SAARC. Bangladeshi officials have proposed improving the organisation’s implementation capacity, financial strength and specialised mechanisms while exploring the possibility of convening senior officials and the SAARC Council of Ministers.
The renewed calls from the Maldives and Bangladesh come amid continuing efforts to restore high-level dialogue within the regional organisation after years of inactivity.
(Source: ANI/President’s Office/PSM News)
