The Hindu : International / India & World : Dhaka upset by India's withdrawal from summit

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 04, 2005

International

International - India & World

Dhaka upset by India's withdrawal from summit

By Haroon Habib

DHAKA, FEB. 3. Bangladesh has termed India's decision not to attend the 13th SAARC summit in Dhaka scheduled for February 6 and 7 as "unwarranted and unexpected."

Dhaka also rejected as "unacceptable" India's contentions about the "security situation" in Dhaka.

"We are shocked and dismayed at the unwarranted and unexpected decision of the Government of India," the Bangladesh Foreign Secretary, Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, told journalists after New Delhi's announcement that led to the postponement of the 13th SAARC summit.

Quoting the Indian Foreign Secretary, Shyam Saran's statement, Mr. Chowdhury said the Indian Government took the decision in view of the developments in the neighbourhood and the security situation in Dhaka over the past few days. He said the reasons assigned by the Indian Government about "the security situation in Dhaka" were "unacceptable and rejected outright."

"Comprehensive and blanket security arrangements have been made at an unprecedented level. All Indian security concerns were fully considered and accommodated." Regarding the "developments in Nepal," he said it was a shared belief that SAARC should not be held hostage to bilateral considerations.

"It is regretted that once again a SAARC summit has been postponed at the last moment because of a decision by the Government of India. Such postponement goes counter to the letter and spirit of the SAARC charter which precludes member-states from raising bilateral and contentious issues," the foreign secretary said.

It is a "sad commentary for South Asia that its largest member-state should retract its commitment to the charter on this excuse." The summit had been postponed when all preparations had been completed and the pre-summit processes had begun with full participation of all seven member-states in a friendly atmosphere.

The current SAARC chairperson and Pakistan Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz, has also expressed disappointment the postponement. While talking over the telephone with the Bangladesh Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, Mr. Aziz termed it "unfortunate" and "upsetting."

He said Pakistan, as chairperson of the SAARC, was satisfied with all the preparations, including security arrangements, for the summit.

The situation in Nepal was a "totally internal" affair of that country, he said.

Begum Zia said there were no flaws in the arrangements and security was guaranteed according to requirement of the heads of state and government of the SAARC nations.

At a meeting chaired by the Bangladesh Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, today, the ruling four-party alliance held the main Opposition, the Awami League, responsible for creating an atmosphere that led to the postponement.

The pro-ruling alliance student wings held a rally at the Dhaka university campus condemning the Awami League for "dishonouring the country."

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Dhaka upset by India's withdrawal from summit