Revitalizing SAARC: Leaders Discuss Future of Regional Cooperation

Secretary-General of SAARC Md. Golam Sarwar met Nepal's Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba to discuss the state of regional cooperation and ways to revitalize the forum. The SAARC has been largely inactive since 2016, with its biennial summits not taking place since 2014. Nepal is making efforts to reactivate the grouping.

Secretary-General of the SAARC Md. Golam Sarwar on Tuesday called on Nepal's Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba to discuss the current state and future of cooperation within the eight-member regional grouping.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has struggled with effectiveness since 2016, with its last biennial summit held in Kathmandu in 2014.

Sarwar and Deuba focused on revitalizing the forum and ongoing initiatives, as well as future meetings, according to Nepal's Foreign Ministry. The meeting reflects Nepal's continued efforts to activate the regional grouping, which has faced challenges following a 2016 terrorist attack that led India and other nations to withdraw from a planned summit in Islamabad.

(With inputs from agencies.)