(Reopens DEL 41)

Swarup was also asked if the meeting of SAARC officials which is currently underway in Kathmandu has paved the way for the SAARC Summit, to which he said one cannot arrive at such a conclusion.

"India is committed to the ideals and objectives of SAARC.

Our objection was to the holding of the SAARC Summit in Islamabad at a time when one particular country is opposed to regional connectivity initiatives, is promoting cross-border terrorism and is interfering in domestic affairs of other countries.

"Not only India, other SAARC countries also joined in saying that this time was not conducive to host the Summit in Islamabad," Swarup said.

A majority of SAARC countries including India had pulled out of the 19th SAARC summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad last November, maintaining that the atmosphere was conducive for holding of the summit in view of continuous cross-border terrorism by Pakistan.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)