New Delhi, September 27 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November amidst heightened tension between India and Pakistan.
Announcing the decision tonight, India said that "one country" has created an environment that is not conducive to the successful holding of the Summit.
"India has conveyed to current SAARC Chair Nepal that increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in the region and growing interference in the internal affairs of Member States by one country have created an environment that is not conducive to the successful holding of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016," External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.
"In the prevailing circumstances, the Government of India is unable to participate in the proposed Summit in Islamabad," it said.
"We also understand that some other SAARC Member States have also conveyed their reservation about attending the Islamabad Summit in November 2016," it said.
According to sources, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhwutan are the other countries which have said no to attending the Summit.
In its communication to Nepal, India has said it remains steadfast in its commitment to regional cooperation, connectivity and contacts but believes that these can only go forward in an atmosphere free of terror.
India hands Uri proof to Pakistan
India on Tuesday summoned Pakistan's High Commissioner and handed over "proof of cross-border origins" of the terror attack that killed 18 soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir.
Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar summoned Abdul Basit and provided him the details of the two guides who he said helped the terrorists to reach the Uri army camp on September 18.
"Foreign Secretary ... presents proof of cross border origins of Uri attack," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.
Swarup said Basit was told that the two guides were caught by villagers in Uri and were in Indian custody.
The official identified them as Yasin Khurshid, 19, s/o Mohammed Khurshid and a resident of Khiliana Kalan in Muzzaffarabad and Faizal Hussain Awan, 20, s/o Gul Akbar and from Potha Jahangir, also in Muzzaffarabad.
Muzaffarabad is the capital of Pakistani Kashmir and is known to provide sanctuary to militant groups operating against India.
Four terrorists believed to be from Pakistan were killed after they stormed the Uri army camp and killed 18 Indian soldiers on September 18. Pakistan has denied any links with the attackers.
