Heads of eight South Asian countries, including Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, will on Wednesday seek a joint initiative to tackle climate change threats and also boost trade and regional cooperation among SAARC nations that more often than not do not see eye to eye with each other on most issues.
As the 16th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) conference gets under way in this serene and pollution-free capital city of Bhutan the summit's key theme "Towards a Green and Happy South Asia" seems only apt.
Seeking a fresh approach to global climate talks the SAARC leaders will pitch for observer status to the bloc at the Mexico conference on global warming later this year. This will enable the eight South Asian nations - Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan besides India - to express their concerns collectively and effectively, an Indian official told IANS.
The next global climate talks after Copenhagen in September last are likely to be held in Cancun in Mexico in December.
The Thimphu summit also marks the silver jubilee celebration of SAARC that was formed in Bangladesh in December 1985 with the aim of eradicating poverty and improving the living standard of 1.5 billion people of the region through mutual cooperation.
Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna hoped that the dialogue on climate change would be carried in a "meaningful manner" at the summit.
A pact on climate will help in exchanging practices and knowledge, capacity building and transfer of eco-friendly technology in areas like coastal zone management, wildlife conservation and environmental impact assessment studies.
The eight nations are also expected to sign an agreement to promote trade cooperation among the member countries. The pact will enhance collaboration in services like health, hospitality, communications, information technology and air traffic and enable the realisation of the region?s immense potential in these services.
Another highlight of the summit is the inauguration of the Permanent Secretariat of the SAARC Development Fund (SDF) with initial capital of $ 300 million to support socio-economic projects in the region.
Ahead of leaving for Thimphu, Dr. Singh asked SAARC to see how it can play its rightful role in the changing world.
"The winds of change are blowing across the world. South Asia cannot be immune to the trend of greater integration, both at the regional and global levels," he said.
Showing posts with label SAARC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SAARC. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
India to raise 26/11 probe status with Pakistan
Just a week ahead of the meeting between Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan, Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday said issues relating to the probe into 26/11 attacks will be taken up during the parleys.
Noting that the “specific issues” to be taken up during the discussions were being finalised by the Indian side, he said the ministry would like “pending issues” concerning the 26/11 case and investigation also to be part of it.
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao will be meeting her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir here on February 25 with India making it clear that terror will be on top of its agenda.
Seeking access to Headley
In an interaction with women journalists, the Home Minister also said his ministry would go through the legal process to seek access to Pakistani-American LeT operative David Headley, now lodged in a Chicago jail.
Asked if FBI was holding back some crucial information from the Indian government as was being suggested by some reports, Mr. Chidambaram said, “Well, I don’t know. All I can say is FBI has shared vital information. If they are holding back any information, there is no way my knowing that they are holding back any information.
“And as far as access to Headley is concerned. Our position remains the same that we will go through legal process to seek access to David headley.”
Mr. Chidambaram also indicated that he would be attending the SAARC home ministers' meeting in Islamabad.
“If and when it is held, the present position of the government is that we are attending,” he said.
The meeting scheduled this month was postponed at Nepal's request.
Noting that the “specific issues” to be taken up during the discussions were being finalised by the Indian side, he said the ministry would like “pending issues” concerning the 26/11 case and investigation also to be part of it.
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao will be meeting her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir here on February 25 with India making it clear that terror will be on top of its agenda.
Seeking access to Headley
In an interaction with women journalists, the Home Minister also said his ministry would go through the legal process to seek access to Pakistani-American LeT operative David Headley, now lodged in a Chicago jail.
Asked if FBI was holding back some crucial information from the Indian government as was being suggested by some reports, Mr. Chidambaram said, “Well, I don’t know. All I can say is FBI has shared vital information. If they are holding back any information, there is no way my knowing that they are holding back any information.
“And as far as access to Headley is concerned. Our position remains the same that we will go through legal process to seek access to David headley.”
Mr. Chidambaram also indicated that he would be attending the SAARC home ministers' meeting in Islamabad.
“If and when it is held, the present position of the government is that we are attending,” he said.
The meeting scheduled this month was postponed at Nepal's request.
