South Asian leaders wrapping up a summit in Colombo have called for joint action against terrorism and more regional trade, a draft declaration that was to be released yesterday said.
The eight-member South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) called for collective action to combat “all forms of terrorist violence” that was threatening their “peace, stability and security.”
TRADE PACT
Leaders agreed to implement a regional trade pact — signed in 1995 but never fully implemented — “in letter and in spirit” to ensure a free flow of goods and services between the region of 1.5 billion people.
URGENT NEED
SAARC, which includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, noted the urgent need to develop energy and food security, the eight-page declaration said.
“The heads of state or governments stressed the urgent need to develop the regional hydro potential, grid connectivity and gas pipelines,” the draft said.
Leaders also agreed to look at cutting international telephone call charges within the region, to foster closer economic ties.
Formed in 1985, SAARC has achieved few results, with each of its annual meetings invariably being overshadowed by tensions between India and Pakistan.
SECURITY
The summit is being held under unprecedented security in insurgency-hit Sri Lanka, which has deployed 20,000 police and troops to guard delegates.
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