India unlikey to particpate in 20th SAARC summit

The 2016 edition of the summit witnessed withdrawal from India, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh citing similar reasons.

The 20th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Summit (SAARC) scheduled to be held in Islamabad is likely to be avoided by India. India is maintaining its diplomatic stand and is repeating its diplomatic move of boycotting the summit two years ago.

India boycotted the 19th Summit amid militants attack, particularly in Pathankot and Uri which was to be hosted by Pakistan.

The eight-member bloc includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri-Lanka.

The Summit is held in different South Asian nations every 12-18 months.

The 2016 edition of the summit witnessed withdrawal from India, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh citing similar reasons.

As per some sources," Pakistan continues with cross-border terrorism and we don't think the atmosphere is conducive to the holding of Saarc summit anytime now."