March 29, 2024 17:46 (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
PM Modi to kickstart BJP's Lok Sabha poll campaign from Meerut | Kangana Ranaut in Mandi: 'Don't think I am a heroine, consider me as your sister and daughter' | Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav demand high-level probe into Mukhtar Ansari's death | PM Modi has mastered art of manipulating democracy, hurting Constitution: Mallikarjun Kharge | Mafia-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari dies of cardiac arrest at 63
Pakistan exploring possibility of greater South Asian economic alliance

Pakistan exploring possibility of greater South Asian economic alliance

India Blooms News Service | | 12 Oct 2016, 02:50 pm
Patna, Oct 12 (The Bihar Post International Desk/IBNS): Pakistan is learnt to be exploring the possibility of creating a greater South Asian economic alliance to counter India’s alleged controlling hold on the eight-member South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in the aftermath of boycott of the summit, as per media reports.

According to a report published in Dawn newspaper on Wednesday, a parliamentary delegation from Pakistan recently pitched this idea during its five-day visit to Washington last week.


“Apparently, the showdown forced Pakistan to conclude that in its present shape, SAARC will always be dominated by India. That’s why they are now talking about a greater South Asia,” an unnamed senior diplomat was quoted as saying in Dawn newspaper.

Another diplomat told the paper that “Pakistan hopes that this new arrangement will give it more room to manoeuvre when India tries to force a decision on it”.

The newspaper further quoted Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed as saying that a greater South Asia was already emerging. “The greater South Asia includes China, Iran and the neighbouring Central Asian republics,” Syed told Dawn.

The newspaper also stated quoting diplomatic observers that the proposed arrangement also suits China as it is also worried about India’s rapidly growing influence in the region.

Pakistan is apparently irritated over the way India used its influence to isolate this Islamic nation in SAARC as member countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan joined India to boycott the summit leading to its indefinite postponement.

The boycott took place in the light of September 18 terrorist attack at Uri army camp in Kashmir where India alleges Pakistan-backed militants were involved—a charge which Pakistan denies.

thebiharpost.com/IBNS


 

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Related Images
PM Modi in Bhutan 22 Mar 2024, 06:53 pm
PM Modi in Tamil Nadu 28 Feb 2024, 07:07 pm