Maldives urges SAARC revival for "regional peace and cooperation"
Male, July 27
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Sunday called for the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, urging member states to resolve differences via dialogue in the interest of the region.
He made the remarks while speaking at the Independence Day ceremony, celebrating 61 years of Maldives' Independence.
Muizzu referred to the current impasse within the SAARC grouping and reiterated that differences should be resolved through dialogue.
As per the statement, he called on SAARC member states to return to the negotiating table in the interest of regional peace and cooperation.
He added that the Maldives stands ready to serve as a mediator in order to break the deadlock being currently faced by the grouping.
In his wide-ranging remarks delivered in front of 113 diplomats representing 43 countries and international organisations, the Maldivian President also elaborated on the government's foreign policy, and called on the international community to resolve disputes through peaceful dialogue.
Meanwhile, earlier in July, Bangladesh also voiced its support towards deepening cooperation within South Asia and urged for bridging the gap between potential and performance.
Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed listed key measures to revive the body and said, "The organisation needs stronger implementation capacity, greater financial strength, more effective specialised mechanisms and a practical culture of follow-up."
Significantly, Obaed mentioned that Bangladesh is mulling, after conversations with member countries of SAARC, it would coordinate closer cooperation between the partner countries for "convening of a senior officials meeting and the possibility of a special session of the Council of Ministers."
The SAARC grouping is a regional political and economic organisation comprising of eight Member States-- Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
While the grouping aims to promote economic cooperation, regional integration and development across South Asia, it has seen a deadlock in recent years, largely due to continued incidents ofcross-border terrorism by Pakistan
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, SAARC has been in a coma for years. Every time India tries to push for cooperation, Pakistan creates trouble. Maldives is a small nation, but they have good intentions. However, the real problem is cross-border terrorism, not lack of dialogue. 🇮🇳
I think it's a good move by Muizzu. SAARC has immense potential for trade and connectivity, but politics keeps getting in the way. India should support this cautiously, but also demand concrete action on terrorism.
SAARC revival is a good idea, but first Pakistan needs to stop exporting terror. India has been patient enough. Without addressing the root cause, any revival is just a photo-op. Maldives can mediate, but they should also push Islamabad to change its ways. 🚫
I appreciate the Maldives' gesture, but I'm skeptical. SAARC has been dead for years because of Pakistan's double standards. Bangladesh's suggestion about stronger implementation capacity is spot on - we need action, not just words. Let's see if Muizzu can actually bring something to the table.
From a neutral perspective, any regional cooperation is good. But the article itself mentions that SAARC is stalled due to "cross-border terrorism by Pakistan". So unless that changes, I don't see how revival works. Maldives as mediator sounds nice but is unrealistic without India's trust.
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