Maldives Ready to Help Resume Saarc Meetings, President Muizzu Says
Quick Look
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu expressed readiness on July 26 to help resume SAARC meetings, which have been stalled for 12 years, echoing a similar call from Bangladesh last month.
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Why It Matters
The last SAARC summit was held 12 years ago, and the bloc includes eight South Asian nations.
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said on July 26 that his country was ready to help resume the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) meetings. The last one was held 12 years ago.
Describing the bloc as an important regional organisation, Muizzu said reviving it was essential for peace and stability in the region. “The Maldives stands ready to serve as a mediator” to get Saarc member states to return to the negotiating table, he said.
Tarique Rahman’s government in Bangladesh issued a similar call last month, saying the bloc’s revival was a core foreign policy priority. Dhaka argued that revitalising the Saarc would unlock untapped economic potential, boost regional connectivity and address shared transnational challenges.
Saarc comprises India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
Open Questions
- Will India and Pakistan agree to resume SAARC meetings?
- When and where would a potential summit take place?
