Insta
The SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu. (Pic via Wikipedia)
Raising stakes in the controversy surrounding the presence of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) Minister Chaudhury Muhammad Saeed at a meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in Islamabad, India has asked the SAARC Secretariat to de-recognise the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) for inviting him in contravention of the SAARC charter, reported The Hindu.
India’s representative at the meet had staged a walk-out over Saeed’s attendance. The SCCI had subsequently apologised, ‘expressing regret’ in a communication to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
The Ministry of External Affairs wrote to the SAARC Secretariat on 10 December, terming Saeed a ‘renegade entity’ from the part of Jammu and Kashmir under Pakistan’s ‘illegal and forcible occupation’. The letter contends that SCCI must be de-recognised as it had taken a political stance in violation of the SAARC principles of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member nations.
“The government of India requests the SAARC Secretariat to consider initiating steps for de-recognition of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry as the Apex body of the SAARC”, the letter further reads.
The SCCI was founded in 1992 and is constituted of chambers of commerce from all nine member states of SAARC. It meets regularly to discuss business ties and economic cooperation between SAARC countries.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest