SAARC admits Afghanistan, membership now eight

New Delhi, Apr 3 (UNI) The membership of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) ''family'' today went up to eight with Afghanistan formally inducted as the baby of the grouping.

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, who represented his country at the 14th SAARC Summit of Heads of State/Government, was warmly welcomed by the leaders of all member countries amid loud applause by the capacity crowds at the sprawling Vigyan Bhavan auditorium where the two-day Summit is being held.

After the Summit was formally inaugurated, the leaders signed a declaration formally admitting the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the grouping.

The Declaration was signed by all leaders including President Karzai.

The Afghan President, wearing the traditional green cape and a 'karakul' (the fur cap), shook hands with all the members.

He went up to Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and hugged him.

All the countries representatives, including the observers, welcomed Afghanistan's entry into the ''SAARC family.'' MORE UNI RB RP VV1738 _____________________________________________________________________