Sri Lanka regrets Indo-Pak standoff

Saturday, 1 October 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka yesterday said it “regrets” the standoff between India and Pakistan that has resulted in an effective boycott of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit that was to be held in Islamabad in November.

“Sri Lanka regrets that the prevailing environment in the region is not conducive for holding the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad on 9 and 10 November 2016. The General Provisions of the SAARC Charter require that decisions at all levels shall be taken on the basis of unanimity, and this applies to the convening of meetings of Heads of State or Government of SAARC Member States as well,” a statement released by the Foreign Ministry said.

Peace and security are essential elements for the success of meaningful regional cooperation for the benefit of the people of South Asia, the statement added.

“As a founding member of SAARC, committed to regional cooperation, Sri Lanka hopes that the steps required to ensuring our region’s peace and security will be taken to create an environment that is conducive for the pursuit of regional cooperation.”

The Sri Lankan Government also condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and stressed in this regard, the need to deal with the issue of terrorism in the region in a decisive manner.

Meanwhile the U.S. State Department on Thursday had called on India and Pakistan to improve their communications to avoid an increase in tensions over Kashmir after Indian special forces crossed the line of control to attack militants in Pakistan-ruled Kashmir.

“An attack like that escalates tensions,” U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said, adding: “Our message to both sides is the same, to encourage them to increase communication to deal with this threat and avoid steps that escalates the tension.”