Saarc fails to take off: Pak opposition stalls all agreements

Kathmandu, Nov 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed fear about the Saarc's progress during his speech at the regional body's 18th Summit here on Wednesday and his stand stood vindicated within an hour after Pakistan blocked the important proposals that were made by India to integrate energy grids and road and rail movement to facilitate the trade between the member states. [PM Modi raises terrorism at Saarc Summit]

It was decided that no agreements would be signed, proving that Saarc remains a non-started even almost after three decades since its inception. [Why Saarc Summit is important for India]

PM Modi said that Saarc failed to fulfil people's expectation despite the fact that collective efforts are more urgent in South Asia than anywhere else in the world.

The summit prepared itself for three agreements to improve the road and rail connections and integrating power trade in the region but with Pakistan's objection, none of them will be realised, said the report.

The South Asian nations witness a meagre 5 per cent of their total trade with each other despite a free trade pact since 2006.

Strained relations between India and Pakistan have seriously disrupted Saarc's progress in three decades and New Delhi denied reports of talks between Modi and Sharif on the sidelines of Saarc at the ongoing summit.

Strained relation between India and Pakistan has seriously hit Saarc

On Tuesday, Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif said India had stalled talks earlier this year after his country's envoy consulted Kashmiri separatists ahead of a secretary-level meeting and the ball is in New Delhi's court now.

India, on the other hand, said the meeting between Sushma Swaraj, its foreign minister and Sartaj Aziz, adviser to Sharif, was just a courtesy call.

Oneindia News