Maldives backs Pakistan for hosting Saarc in Islamabad

Islamabad: The Maldives have expressed its support for Pakistan to host the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) in Islamabad.

The views have been expressed in a joint communiqué issued simultaneously in Islamabad and Male at the conclusion of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif's visit to the Maldives on Thursday.

The Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom articulated support for Pakistan in this regard who hosted the prime minister in three-day official trip to his country. India had scuttled holding of 16th Saarc summit that had to take place in Islamabad in November last year. Pakistan had to become Chairman of the association for two years but India on a fabricated pretext subverted it despite Pakistan had made all preparations for the summit. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally spearheaded the campaign to deny Pakistan from hosting the summit as he had been claiming that he would throw Pakistan in diplomatic isolation.

The statement said that the both leaders agreed to further promote cooperation between the countries of South Asia, including through the Saarc. It said Pakistan and Maldives had the close cooperation and coordination between the two countries at regional and international forums on issues of mutual importance. 

The premier held official talks with President Yameen and discussed ways of further strengthening bilateral cooperation and people to people contacts. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was the chief guest in the celebrations to commemorate 52nd Independence Day of that country on Wednesday. The two leaders agreed to work together to strengthen solidarity of the Muslim Ummah and promote true values of Islam internationally.

A number of MoUs/agreements were signed during the visit to enhance cooperation in tourism, climate change trade, education, and civil service cooperation and for capacity building of diplomats. Joint Working Committees were constituted to oversee implementation of MoUs signed between the Maldives and Pakistan. The prime minister has now returned to Islamabad after the official visit to Maldives.