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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged SAARC countries to take effective steps to defeat the scourge of terrorism and forces that support it. In a letter to the SAARC secretariat to mark the founding day of the bloc, Prime Minister said, such efforts will generate greater trust and confidence to build a stronger SAARC.
In an oblique reference to Pakistan, Mr Modi said that India’s efforts for greater collaboration among the SAARC countries have repeatedly been challenged with threats and acts of terrorism. Prime Minister said, such an environment impedes our shared objective of realising the full potential of SAARC. Mr Modi said, SAARC has made progress, but more needs to be done.
The last SAARC Summit in 2014 was held in Kathmandu, which was attended by Mr Modi. The 2016 SAARC summit was to be held in Islamabad. But after the Uri terror attack, India expressed its inability to participate in the summit due to prevailing circumstances.
The summit was called off after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to participate in the Islamabad meet.
SAARC Founding Day is commemorated every year on 8th of December to mark the signing of the group’s charter.
