Afghanistan hints at possible boycott of Saarc meeting in Pakistan

Amidst the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan, Afghanistan has asked Delhi to consider the option to boycott the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) summit, which will be held in Islamabad in November.

Kabul has also urged other South Asian countries to come together to skip the meeting in the aftermath of Sunday's (18 September) millitant attack on an Indian army base in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri in which 18 soldiers were killed.

Speaking during an interview to NDTV, Afghan envoy to India Shaida Mohammad Abdali also accused Pakistan of funding terrorism and said the attack by Islamabad was fatal, systematic and state-sponsored.

"We have to make sure that we bring the maximum number of countries and I am sure most South Asian countries are in line with what we think. Therefore, the effort should be comprehensive and we should single out a country that spoils our unity and regional peace.

"Any measure that brings peace, stability and unity to the region should not be ruled out. There must be zero tolerance (towards terrorism). Now, there is ample proof of this as state-sponsored terrorism and, therefore, we have to revisit our mechanisms," the envoy said, asserting that there should be a joint effort to end terror.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has yet to decide on attending Saarc meet. Speaking on behalf of the premier, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali, said, "My Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina) is coming to India to attend the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit that would take place on October 16, only a few days from now, and she would have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I am sure that there would be a discussion on this. Perhaps, at the Goa event, our two Prime Ministers can also discuss regarding their attendance at the forthcoming SAARC Summit in Islamabad."