Recognising the "serious threat" posed by terrorism to the peace and stability of South Asia, the 15th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Summit on Sunday in a declaration supported "strongest possible cooperation" against the menace and signed a key agreement in this regard.
Wrapping up the two-day meet, attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and leaders of other seven member states, the grouping also vowed to collaborate in tackling issues like energy by developing the regional hydro potential, grid connectivity and gas pipelines, as well as food security, climate change and trade barriers as part of an endeavour to prosper as a collective unit.
The summit, which took place in the backdrop of attack on Indian embassy in Kabul and serial blasts in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, was dominated by the theme of terrorism, with leaders of all member countries recognising it as a destabilising factor which had to be guarded against.
Image: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee greeted by the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Sri lankan Parliament during the 15th SAARC Summit in Colombo on Saturday. Also in the picture, Speaker of the Sri lankan Parliament W J M Lokkubandara (Centre).
Photograph: Jay Mandal/On Assignment
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