India and Pakistan have fought three wars, and just last month exchanges of fire across the border in Kashmir killed 20 people.
The bickering spilled into a two-day regional summit in Kathmandu, and their leaders refused to meet.
Indian and Nepali officials said Pakistan declined to sign three multilateral pacts with the eight members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc).
The agreements aim to boost road trade and electricity sharing, including across Pakistan's heavily militarised border with India.
In an apparent reference to Pakistan, India's foreign ministry spokesman said one country had cited incomplete "internal processes" for not signing the pacts, but stopped short of naming it.
Pakistani officials did not respond to telephone calls seeking comment.
Such a refusal threatens efforts by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make South Asia a viable economic counterweight to China and limit Beijing's role in the region.
Regional integration would happen "through Saarc or outside it," Modi warned the summit, if the grouping failed to agree on the pacts.
Nepal's former foreign secretary, Madhu Raman Acharya, echoed the sentiment, urging the grouping to step up "sub-regional cooperation".
Almost all the leaders at the summit expressed dismay at Sabre's sparse achievements since it was founded 29 years ago aiming to become a European-style union.
Despite a free trade pact since 2006, trade among South Asian nations makes up five percent of their total trade. They share few transport and power links.
China, free of the baggage that makes much of the region wary of India, has built ports and sold weapons across South Asia, where its new Asian Investment Infrastructure Bank has attracted interest, including from India.
Through Pakistan, China suggested it play a larger role in the regional grouping, but India rebuffed the proposal.
Modi met all Saarc leaders but PM Nawaz
Meanwhile, Modi held two-way talks with every leader except Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, since neither was ready to make the first move to defuse tension.
The region's first summit in three years follows some of the worst cross-border violence in the disputed region of Kashmir in a decade, and comes as Nato-led troops prepare to pull out of Afghanistan, intensifying the India-Pakistan rivalry for influence there.
It is also the first time the eight leaders are meeting for the first time since the election of a new government in New Delhi that is taking a more assertive stance on both China and Pakistan.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his first talks with Afghanistan's new President Ashraf Ghani on the summit's sidelines on Wednesday, as New Delhi seeks to develop its involvement in a country that Pakistan considers part of its sphere of influence.
Much of the attention has focused on whether the leaders of India and Pakistan will meet on the sidelines of the summit however, PM Nawaz was reported as saying the ball was in India's court after New Delhi cancelled talks earlier this year.
"After the recent snub from India, which cancelled foreign secretary-level talks, Pakistan is not going to take the initiative. It will depend whether Modi says he wants to meet," Pakistani political analyst Talat Masood told AFP.
Hopes of a move towards reconciliation were raised when Modi invited Pakistan’s prime minister to his swearing-in ceremony, but his right-wing nationalist government has adopted a more aggressive policy on Pakistan than its centre-left predecessor.
Modi warned during the recent upsurge in violence in Kashmir that "times have changed and their old habits will not be tolerated".
On Tuesday, Modi oversaw a $1 billion agreement to build a hydropower plant in neighbouring Nepal, where China has invested heavily in recent years, saying he wanted to "move forward" with deals long delayed by mutual mistrust.
But the mistrust between India and Pakistan - widely seen as the main obstacle to greater South Asian integration - is unlikely to be resolved so easily.
"Saarc's main problem is that Saarc is basically about India and Pakistan, with the Afghanistan dimension thrown in now," said Sujeev Shakya, chairperson of the Nepal Economic Forum.
Trade between the Saarc nations - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - has grown from under $140 million in 2008 to $878 million in 2012, according to Saarc figures.
But it still accounts for less than five per cent of the region's total commerce, according to the Washington-based Brookings Institution. By contrast, trade between East Asian nations accounts for nearly 35 per cent of that region's total.
Security is also likely to be discussed after al Qaeda announced a new South Asia branch and claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on a Karachi naval yard.
Analysts said domestic political concerns would likely take precedence during the Saarc summit, with Modi eager to appear tough on Pakistan during local elections in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Authorities in Kathmandu have spent a reported $10 million on sprucing up the city, repairing its notoriously potholed streets and declaring a two-day public holiday to avert traffic gridlock.
But there is little optimism that much will be achieved.
"It's time to develop other regional groupings instead of getting bogged down by Saarc, where the conflict between India and Pakistan is a huge obstacle to progress," said Shakya.
COMMENTS (65)
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There is a need for the two neighbours Pakistan and India to review their diplomatic stance without pressing further the blame game and work towards making the diplomatic environment in South Asia more congenial and cordial thereby to push forward the SAARC initiative.
India as of now is the biggest and most powerful of all the other member nations of the SAARC (South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation) hence the role of this nation and influence will remain over and above the other member nations. This does not in any way imply that India should behave like the Big Brother and try over-shadowing the other member nations. Nevertheless there is an effort required that should be the initiative India must take up towards winning over the confidence of the other SAARC member nations. There have been recent developments in South Asia that are not a very positive signal towards a progressive movement of the SAARC in the near future and these have been the breach of ceasefire on the Indo-Pak border and the growing presence of the Chinese nuclear vessels in the Sri Lankan port. Although the behaviour of the two neighbours towards India may not have been the way it should have been as a friendly neighbour and has further increased the trust deficit in bilateral relationship nevertheless there is a need to review, analyse and understand the situation in detailed and comprehensive as well an unbiased manner by the concerned nations and an exercise is carried out the sooner the better. There are constraints that are logistic, diplomatic, strategic and political which have been playing an influential part and will continue and it is these constraints that need to be handled in the desired manner and to be removed in the most appropriate manner. The governments of the SAARC member nations well understand the importance of this organisation and the role it will be playing in the future for which a closer bonding is essential and ought to be developed where India has the lead role to play.
Being smart guy Modi at each point act very diplomatically.. I just love his diplomacy... and NS a damn curse on ppl of pakistan... But after all not meeting Modi is in the larger interest of pakistan bc he is not that capable to deal Modi...
The actual design behind using roads for trade was to provide access to India for Afghanistan and create terrorist activities in Pakistan. Decision of our Prime Minister is strongly appreciated in all patriotic circles. Unfortunately in Pakistan we have plenty of traitors who came from India in post Independence scenario and can be seen under the umbrella of Imran Khan. We will continue to support Kashmiries for their struggle for Independence.
@sam: With due respect, it seems that Modi has come to prove the falling power of India, where players like China and Russia in a line of 'superpower.' NS worked with your former PM. Nothing went wrong in any of the country. So what happened exactly that led trading of firing on LoC and Working boundary. Sir, accept the 'Modi Factor.' You will realize very soon that india cant win by fighting with everyone because its not a MACHOMAN game.
BREAKING NEWS: During the SAARC retreat, Nawaz Sharif went to Modi and shaked his hand. So the ice has melted, finally. Good for Pakistan.
By face impression Modi is also ignoring Nawaz Sharif.Both countries' leaders did absolutely wrongful by ignoring each others because for the efforts to resolve the burning and core issues between Pakistan and India ignorance is harmful and this ignorance definitely proves that both leaders hate each others not respect,honor and grace. And every pact in the region is unacceptable thru which only Indian monopoly and supremacy are discussed and raised in the South East Asia.In South East Asia every country has to be treated equally without any prejudice and differences......
I see some Pakistanis commenting here are pretty frustrated with the situation. It seems they are feeling as if sand is slipping through their fists. Pakistan is derailing the SAARC economical agenda for its own bogus ego and for a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan.It would be too much to expect any maturity from leadership of Pakistan. The only thing Pakistan now wants to do is act as lobbyist for China. I think SAARC should consider Pakistan just as an observer country now. There is not much business between Pakistan/Afghanistan and rest of the south Asian countries any way and so Pakistan would not be missed much. The only collateral damage would be Afghanistan. South Asia can not be hold hostage for Pakistan's wishes and arrogance. Time to cut them loose.
I have gone through the comments above on the given title.These comments suggest that Pakistan is very much dependent on China. Since ,there is a border dispute between India and China and they have fought a war in 1962 over border dispute ,Pakistan make every effort to appease China just to seek its support against India.The so called all weather friendship between Pakistan and China is purely based on their enmity against India.Pakistan views the progress of China as its own progress and thinks that the fruits of development of China will be available to them also in some or other forms .Pakistan,can not progress at such a rate as China,because of corruption at all the levels ,particularly in political field and army and also the Pakistani army consume disprortionate higher share of its economy.Therefore, very little amont of funds are available for the development of Pakistani citizens in terms of education and health. The Pakistani army and leadership have shifted the attention of Pakistani public from their development to Kashmir only .There are almost no chance that India will be ready to give them Kashmir on a plate or Pakistan can win Kashmir through nuclear war .There are almost no chance of nuclear war as America has a dedicated plan to destroy Pakistan nukes at their place of deployment .
@HumanBeing: okay you are right pl ask the paper and website to stop internet signal from eastern border.It can give some peace of mind.
@Hamid: pl ask the paper and website to stop internet signal from eastern border.It can give some peace of mind.
In another comment I had said that India should forget about SAARC, and make a new forum that involves 5 countries - India, Nepal, Bhutan, Srilanka and Bangladesh. It should form a free trade zone with easy movement of people (with reasonable migratory restrictions). India should make SAU (South Asian Union) on the lines of EU.
With Pakistan - there is no chance of any real progress, because it is governed by Emotions - not by rational growth based decisions.
It is easier to be of nuisance value than be constructive. Pakistan has chosen to be of nuisance-value since 1947.
It is a typical technique to spoil the dish for all if one does not wish to eat it.
This will impact Pakistan negatively as other countries are tired. May be they would ask Pakistan to leave SAARC if this continues. Why become an impediment to economic development?
@HumanBeing: your idiocy and ignorance amazed me. Ever since independence in 1947 Pakistan has considered India an enemy. Pakistan sent invaders to Kashmir in 1948, and since then it has attacked India many times. It has and continues to send terrorists, gives refuge to criminals to India to upset Indian economy. The result of all this is Pakistan remains a poor country and India has become a trillion dollar economy.
this is the best move taken by NS in interest of Pakistan, thus NS realized that we are not the microcosms of India.
Forget everything else just one question from Indians. Does any sane person think that Pakistan will not block the so called pacts after this statement "Regional integration would happen “through Saarc or outside it,” Modi warned the summit, if the grouping failed to agree on the pacts."
These pacts are about India's trade with Afghanistan through SAARC platform as they can get straight route.
@Alladitta: The only time we helped China was at the time of zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, in the UN summit. China today doesn't need anyones help. Even USA will fall to utter ruin if China stops exporting to US.
SAARC is there only to promote Indian Trade imbalance with smaller neighbors. It's recognition as a bully & thug. Pak can't be a party to this, no-way, Sir! Modi was very smart and saw it coming but if wanted he could have made grounds for it with Pakistan... ahead of time. But except Pak he again succeeded in keeping its neighbor scrambling for its thrown bread pieces. Don't believe me? Go to India and see how the Rich keep their relatives in gutters for obedience.
I was tempted to make a sarcastic remark. I refrain. People of India and (especially) Pakistan MUST realize the play of real politik is not the same as what common man wishes. There are extra constitutional powers in Pakistan, with vested interests, that thrive on conflict. If they had an ounce of humanity, they would not do what they are doing to their own people let alone Afghanistan. Hey! Did anyone say India, forget about that.
How can Pakistan enter into any trade agreements with Inndia direct or indirect before having a peace agreement or no war pact? Pakistan army commanders have all options on table and can strike and strike hard its declared enemy when it violates the cease fire..Someone has to tell the chaiwalas the rules of war or peace..
Rex Minor
good.. tit for tat
SAARC ? it remained just like a meeting place for leaders that achieved nothing than delicious foods in last 26 years..Pakistan turning the wave and changing its policy objectives, is now in better position to be authoritaive than submassive. India,s agressive behaviour can not be tolerated. indian government has failed to put state rit in southern india and poverty is always at their door step beside energy shortage and supression of women and minorties. so claiming that india is rising as super power is not more than an oblivion.
NS is a ruler of Pakistan but not the representative of Pakistan. He came to power because of fraudulent elections. He killed his opponents in Model town Lahore. He bribed/intimidate judiciary in Pakistan. India should better wait for the real representatives of Pakistan.
What a monumental waste of tax payer's money SAARC is!
And that Modi is a total waste of space!
It just goes to show what a small, petty-minded and backward party the BJP is- and they certainly chose the right man as leader.This man should go back to running Gujrat- that way he will cause less damage to relations between Pakistan and India.
He is incapable of showing any kind of vision or statesmanship and cannot rise above his RSS roots- a racist organisation if ever there was one!
What I find frustrating is the fact that comments written that do not generally represent how a typical Paksitani would feel or think get more recommendations than a comment that probably would represents how a typical Pakistani would feel/think on this website that is tribune.com.pk. These comments appear to be written by our eastern neighbor and probably get more recommendation because they have a greater literate population than Pakistan by number. In my opinion you have a right to state your opinion on this platform but you do not have the "moral" right to recommend these comments. These recommendations should be a representative of opinion of a particular group. When things are mixed these recommendations are just useless and they appear more of a contest than anything else.
India never was and never will be a friend to Pakistan. The Indian govt and its army have always tried to isolate Pakistan and the Indian people are made to believe the very existence of Pakistan was a mistake. This is reflected by numerous bollywood movies depicting Pakistan as the enemy, the exaggerated frustration of the Indian people after Pakistan performs better than the Indian team in cricket, or simply the fact that there are more comments made by Indians in a Pakistani news website that Pakistani readers themselves. The current Indian prime minister is very clearly exploiting the Indian mind set to gather support even though the Indian people know he is responsible for numerous human lives lost but the notion of framing Pakistan as the enemy always fits better and wins over the Indian hearts. Not surprisingly, the indian govt is behaving like a super power in the region, an old fantasy of India. Saarc is merely a group of under developed countries trying to find a common ground in economics and is no place for India to behave immaturely. China is the super power in the region, India is only enjoying the temporary face lift by western countries to counter China very much like Ukraine is for Russia. The indian govt and its people should not gloat over this temporary shift in dynamics, nothing drastically changes in India. Issues like poverty, unemployment, safe drinking water, toilets education etc will not be solved. India should shape up its act or will yet again find itself on the wrong side and end up blaming Pakistan for everything that goes wrong for her.
@Vinu:
yeah right...thts why you PM wants to show a cold shoulder..India think it is considered as a super power..you are unable to deal with Pakistan and you think you can control the world....
@Kaleem Ullah:
9% t0 10% growth and $10 trillion dollar economy by 2030 according to PWC study published yesterday. That my friend is super power.
http://databank.worldbank.org/data/download/GDP.pdf
Good.Atleast he denied Nawaz Sharif to sell the interests of Pakistan.
Completely agree with NS here.
Well, why should he? Nawaz is merely a ruler not necessarily representative of the Pakistani people. Modi for his part is no great shakes but then the people of India chose a criminal than so be it. Ain't democracy just wonderful?
SAARC= South Asian Association of Regional Criminals
A deliberate snub to the second most important country in SAARC ? Shows a petty mentality on Indian PM's part..
Personally, I feel Pakistan should opt out of SAARC and seek admission to ASEAN. There is an old saying "if you lie with old dog, all you catch is fleas". Being with SAARC reminds me of that.
Pakistan have blocked all deals in SAARC since 1985. It is the biggest impediment for decline of SAARC.
SAARC Tanks: No Agreements Signed After Pakistan’s ObjectionsPakistan blocked key proposals backed by India and other countries to integrate energy grids and free up road and rail movement, seen as crucial for improving cross-border trade, which remains minimal between SAARC countries.
As if NS was dying to meet Modi.
Kaleem Ullah - "Pak army is fully occupied with operations in FATA, Why would they initiate Sialkot and other sector skirmishes? To make life further miserable for themselves? "
Well then you need some education... It is you're same army that has this habit of running with the hares and hunting with the hounds... as they did in 2001 and the war of terror later...(OBL in Abottabad).. Thus FATA operations notwithstanding, rogue elements in you're army will continue to over-extend themselves with the full blessings of their bosses in GHQ..
Hope ET publishes this.
@Sohraab: Why is China even talking and trading with India. They should know either China is WITH Pakistan or its enemy. China cannot survive without the support of Pakistan. It was Pakistan that brought China and USA closer to each other. Their technology is developed by Pakistani scientists and if we withdraw our hand then China will fail and disintegrate.
Nawaz to meet all SAARC leaders but PM Modi: Pakistani official
@S K SInha:
Why don't you adopt him if you like him so much? Sri Sharif Jindal would be a nice Hindu name for him.
But he will meet Jindal Steel Group!
@Kaleem Ullah: State election issues are inflation, growth, development, education,curruption etc not pakistan. State govt don't have any influence or say in foriegn relation or policies..Only central govt has. And National elections are long over in May. It's only when opposition takes potshots at PM, does PM respond to foriegn matters. It has no bearing on people's voting. But your side has interest in keeping the loc burning because you want kashmir to be flashpoint and trped around the world. We don't don't claim your land and ignore it. You do claim ours. So the pricking. But india is never going to cede to such tricks. We have handled infiltration since decades and will handle smoothly in future too. India is top emerging nations and global power it's not we say it go see australian PM and all rest PMs statement. They tell us to take more active role on global stage.
When a leader attends a international summit, he carries with him the hopes, expectations and desires of the people he represents. It is his duty and responsibility that he put his country first and address the needs of his people. A true statesman will overlook personal emotions and past slights for the greater good. Modi was gracious and welcoming towards the Americans inspite of the visa denial because he was aware that the betterment of thousands of NRIS , students and I.T employees could not be held ransom to one man's ego. It will show Mr. Sharif in good light if he understands the benefits of cooperation in healthcare, education, energy, disaster management and space technology. The people of the region will benefit vastly from this. No point cutting your nose to spite your face.
@Bad Mash: What is SAARC anyway...Nothing and will remain toothless..so why bother!
Mr Modi seems to have no respect for a man who has no self respect!!! Besides, who exactly are the people that the current Prime Minister of Pakistan represent, certainly not the majority in his country or in Kashmir. In the absence of the foreign minister he better send his very popular advisor to international foorums.
Rex Minor
@Ishan: Global power????..keep dreaming till China wake you up with a solid jolt!!
@Bad Mash: Put aside what the media sells. Lets talk common sense.
Pak army is fully occupied with operations in FATA, Why would they initiate Sialkot and other sector skirmishes? To make life further miserable for themselves? They'd never want to initiate tensions at this stage.
On the other side, who will benefit in state elections by raising anti Pakistan talk? Modi sarkar!
@Ishan: I understand your emotions for India to become global power, However you can do comparison with weakest global power at the moment and India stands decades away. I am sorry for the harsh conclusion, but study poverty and human growth indices.
I am not surprised how Pakistan conducts itself at this summit.These people cannot think anything other than Kashmir.What can you expect from a failed nation like Pakistan? Maybe they don't want to upset the Chinese, after all they are Pakistan's local guardian :)
SAARC Tanks: No Agreements Signed After Pakistan's Objections
=======================================================
Pakistan blocked key proposals backed by India and other countries to integrate energy grids and free up road and rail movement, seen as crucial for improving cross-border trade, which remains minimal between SAARC countries.
To me NS appears to be sincere. Perhaps he should be allowed to have his way. But perhaps it is not possible in Pakistan. And unfortunately world too knows this.
Dear Nawaz Sharif The Prime Minister of Pakistan, We Pakistanis Don't wish to meet you Moodi has also told you to #GoNawazGo
Lol, yeah, Pakistan has been painted as an extremist nation when it's India who's exactly that. Egoistic, misdirected by a flimsy superiority complex.
I think this is exactly what Pakistan needs... clarity of thought. India is not interested in normalizing relations and Pakistan should realize that. They believe that this is the time to hurt Pakistan most through both sides of the border. Somehow, India has started to believe (a little prematurely) that they are part of the superpower club. This is all based on the theory that they have found respect amongst the 'allied group of nations''. With the re-start of Cold War and rise of China, things will change... and India will find itself again with the wrong group.
The only way ahead is for SAARC to function properly. Without a regional bloc, India is going nowhere. Unfortunately, it has chosen itself to be superior than the bloc.
I am really disappointed that you guys are portraying Indians as regional supper power. I mean how you guys have established that. I dont think this news post has not passed through proper editor review check.
Please don't over exaggerate Indians over Pakistan.
@Kaleem Ullah: It is the Pakistan stated position that Pakistan will prefer to talk to separatist not Indian government to resolve bilateral and regional issue.
And PM Nawaz Shareef will meet every SAARC leader except Modi..
This serves NS absolutely right for his bending over backward's stance on India.
@Kaleem Ullah:
I actually sympathise with Nawaz Sharif. The man seems sincere enough in his attempts to talk to India. Unfortunately, the veto that your army holds over foreign relations and security stymies all such attempts. Your army will never let peace prevail and will continue to provoke India. And the sad fact is, in relations with India, NS has no say. We have no choice but to consider Pakistan as a rogue nation, as the world does, and a country which is not interested in pursuing peace. You may recognise the fact or not, but Pakistan has no desire for peace and India has decided that it is time we moved on. We do not consider this your "weakness", but your folly. But, mark my words, there will come a time, in the not too distant future, when your own people will rise against your army and force them to cede actual power to a civilian government. Until then, you can keep asking for "self determination" for Kashmir, but who can take you seriously? A country which cannot determine it's own future asking for the same in other lands. Let's not talk for now. That is best for both countries.
No one cares who else you meet. Its Pakistan & India that really are the driving force in the region. Remember, Pakistan has no desire to meet you as well unless you request a meeting! We will then contemplate whether to grant you the meeting or not!
Modi did not request a meeting since he realizes the NS govt is merely a candle in the wind in Pakistani politics now. Modi is a smart guy and we respect him in Pakistan, more than we respect our own moronic PM Nawaz.
Pakistan doesn't require to push for it either
We did not request a meeting, You did not request it either. Don't treat Pakistan's desire for peace as its weakness. Stay happy there!