Reenergizing SAARC emphasized

Published On: August 25, 2017 03:05 AM NPT


KATHMANDU, August 25: The Consortium of South Asian Think-Tanks in cooperation with the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore organized a one-day workshop on “Re-Energizing the SAARC Process” in Singapore on Monday.

More than 12 heads and representatives of some of the prominent think-tanks of South Asia along with experts from Singapore participated in the conclave. Speaking on the occasion, Secretary General of SAARC Amjad Hussain B Sial stated, “SAARC currently has nine observers. As directed by our leaders at the eighteenth summit, we must engage our observers in productive, demand-driven and objective project-based cooperation in priority areas identified by the member states, such as communication, connectivity, agriculture, etc.”

Former Foreign Minister of Nepal Ramesh Nath Pandey said, “South Asia is at the center of international politics as new adjustments are taking place in the domain of international relations. We have done a lot of investment in SAARC already,” he said. “Now, is the time not only to revitalize and re-energize this organization but also to make sure that it emerges as a regional force for the collective benefit of us all.”

Former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Iftekhar Chowdhury, former finance minister of Pakistan Sahid Javed Burki, Director General of Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of Sri Lanka Dinusha Panditratne highlighted that SAARC is an important platform for leaders to talk free and frankly with one another. 


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