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PM Modi, Nawaz Sharif Shake Hands to Big Applause at SAARC: 10 Developments


Mangalore Today News Network

Kathmandu, Nov 27, 2014:  A handshake between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharif marked the end of a two-day SAARC summit that was clouded by cold vibes between the two leaders.


Nawaz Sharif


Earlier today, PM Modi and Nawaz Sharif exchanged hellos but had no separate conversation during the retreat at Dhulikhel, which is famous for its view of the Himalayas.

PM Modi and Mr Sharif did not speak or even look at each other when they shared a dais during the opening session of SAARC.

On Wednesday, PM Modi had two-way talks with most leaders except Nawaz Sharif. Chances of a meeting between the two to restart India-Pakistan talks faded after Mr Sharif told reporters that "the ball is in India’s court." India says Pakistan needs to commit to "meaningful dialogue" before they can meet at the summit.

Pakistan has blocked key proposals to integrate energy grids and free up road and rail movement.

"The electricity agreement will be signed," Nepal Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Sources say at the retreat, other SAARC leaders persuaded Mr Sharif to endorse at least the energy deal to avoid a complete collapse of the summit.

The Pakistani premier will fly out of Nepal this evening, a little earlier than scheduled. He will miss a banquet and a meeting with the Nepal President.

In his address in the opening session of the two-day summit, PM Modi had bluntly said SAARC evoked cynicism and skepticism, and offered his suggestions to improve connectivity in the region. "As SAARC we have failed to move with the speed that our people expect and want. Nowhere in the world are collective efforts more urgent than in South Asia; and, nowhere else is it so modest," he said.

In its 30 years, SAARC or the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, has delivered negligible results for economic ties and development among its members - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. 

Despite a free trade pact since 2006, South Asian nations conduct only 5 per cent of their total trade with each other, and there are few transport and power links among them.

 

Courtesy: ndtv.com


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