Maldives president calls for revival of SAARC during Pakistan visit
He expressed the Maldives' willingness to engage with other South Asian countries to restart SAARC's activities.
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President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said the Maldives is prepared to work with all member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to facilitate the convening of the organisation's next summit at the earliest opportunity.
Speaking during a joint statement with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, as part of his official visit to Pakistan, President Muizzu reaffirmed the Maldives' commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation alongside its bilateral relationships.
He said the Maldives considered SAARC an important regional organisation and believed its member countries could make progress through sustained dialogue and constructive engagement.
"I believe that through this organisation, we can work together to find solutions to the challenges facing the countries of this region," President Muizzu said.
He expressed the Maldives' willingness to engage with other South Asian countries to restart SAARC's activities.
"The Maldives stands ready to consult with member countries on resuming SAARC's work. Through sustained dialogue, trust and understanding, we can strengthen cooperation within SAARC," he said.
President Muizzu also said the Maldives was prepared to work with all SAARC member states to create the conditions necessary to hold the organisation's next summit as soon as possible.
The President has previously called for the revival of SAARC to strengthen regional relations.
During his address at the official Independence Day ceremony earlier this year, he emphasised the importance of resolving differences through dialogue and restarting the organisation's activities.
The last SAARC summit was held in Nepal in 2014. The organisation has since struggled to convene another summit, largely because of longstanding tensions between India and Pakistan.
SAARC comprises eight member states: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
President Muizzu's latest remarks come during his visit to Pakistan, where the two countries have agreed to expand cooperation across several sectors as they mark 60 years of diplomatic relations.
