SAARC faces challenges from extremist and terrorist activities: Lankan envoy

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Nepal WM Senevirathna says that SAARC faces challenges in various areas, including development, connectivity, extremist and terrorist activities.

He said various agreements that SAARC nations will reach during the upcoming 18th SAARC Summit, to be held in Kathmandu, the will help materialize the aspiration of South Asia to be integrated, peaceful and a developed region.

Ambassadors from various SAARC member states and foreign policy experts have stressed on implementation of various agreements reached in the past during this summit.

Addressing a program at the Reporters´ Club in Kathmandu on Friday, they also stressed the need to enhance connectivity and promote peace in the South Asia. “One of the pre-requisite for the regional integration is connectivity. How do you have regional integration unless you have regional connectivity?” asked Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae.

The envoy, however, added that an outline has already been made to ensure regional connectivity. SAARC Railway Agreement, SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement and SAARC Energy Cooperation Agreement are likely to be signed during the upcoming SAARC meeting to realize this goal.

Ambassador of Bangladesh to Nepal Masfee Binte Shams said Bangladesh is very much keen to take the SAARC process forward. She said Bangladesh wants closer cooperation with other SAARC member states such as regional power grid and other areas of economic integration, Republica‎ reported.