TERROR TALK: Member nations promised to take bold measures against terrorism.

SAARC summit ends with a whimper

Terrorism and trade topped the agenda at the 14th SAARC summit but member nations failed to break any new ground.

SAARC: No terror talk for India, Pak

At the SAARC summit Kashmir did not figure for a change but terrorism did, however, it was not brought up by India or Pak.

Pakistan has discretely avoided the K-word at Saarc this time, but still raised the bilateral issues with India at the summit.

Leaders from the participating nations discussed “bold” steps to tackle the problem and Manmohan Singh led the charge.

Despite the anger over terrorist attacks, terrorism itself could possibly emerge as a binding force for the region.

The South Asian Free Trade Agreement aims to cut export duties by the end of this year but a lot still needs to be done.

Despite ratifying SAFTA, which envisages free trade among SAARC countries, Pakistan has refused to implement it.

SAFTA was discussed by Pranab Mukherjee and Shaukat Aziz on January 13, during Mukherjee's visit to Pakistan.

India will take up its objection to Pak limiting trade with Delhi under SAFTA at SAARC Ministerial Council in Oct.

Although Pak has offered all possible help in the 7/11 investigations, the talks have hit a deadlock on SAFTA.

India on Monday raised its concerns over cross-border terrorism at the SAARC Foreign Secretary-level talks in Dhaka.

Islamabad on Friday indicated that it may move to the dispute settlement mechanism of SAFTA to resolve the differences with India.