India: Support For Iranian SAARC Membership

[Lilo]

India backs Iran for SAARC, not sure of others
From correspondents in Delhi, India, 09:07 PM IST

India has backed Iran's request for membership of the SAARC but is waiting to see if the other seven members also accept Tehran's application.

'India has no problems with Iran's request to join the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). But we have to see whether the other countries support Tehran,' a senior official said.

The issue of Iran's membership of the SAARC would be taken up at the 14th SAARC summit to be held here April 3-4.

Earlier this month, Iran formally sought full membership of SAARC, arguing that because of its unique geographical position and economical strength such a move would be beneficial to both sides.

Afghanistan will be included as the eighth member of the SAARC at the summit next week.

The US, China, Japan, South Korea and the European Union will be participating as observers for the first time.

Sources say the US may use its clout to influence other countries not to support Tehran's candidature. All decisions in SAARC are taken on the basis of consensus among member states and a lone dissenting voice can play the spoiler.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)

http://www.indiaenews.com/india/20070327/44912.htm

India: Support For Iranian SAARC Membership
March 27, 2007 18 10 GMT

Iran's request to join the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has gained support from India, the Indo-Asian News Service reported March 27, citing a senior Indian official. The official said it is unclear if other member countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, would support SAARC membership for Iran. The issue will be addressed during the SAARC summit in New Delhi from April 3-4.

http://www.stratfor.com/products/pr...selected=Situation Reports&sitrep=1&id=286437

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[Neo]

Great, first Afghanistan and now Iran, how is that going to benefit India or Pakistan?
SAARC is dead already, both India and Pakistan are undermining it. Its a dead end.

 

[Janbaz]

Great, first Afghanistan and now Iran, how is that going to benefit India or Pakistan?
SAARC is dead already, both India and Pakistan are undermining it. Its a dead end.

You are true here, SAARC is baloney! Same as OIC you know, no one listens to them when they condemn or pass resolutions regarding global affairs. Like you said "Its a dead end"!

 

[Contrarian]

It ups our rep with Iran still. SAARC is dead, SAFTA is dead, that is why BIMSTEC was created.

 

[mujib.khan]

Those are dormant / inactive; not dead. Introduction of Iran would definitely infuse activity in SAARC, and countervail India's asymmetry somewhat.

 

[Red Dwarf]

SAARC is inactive like is thread. Its a 3 yr old thread.

 

[navtrek]

SAARC is inactive like is thread. Its a 3 yr old thread.

ha ha nice observation.

 

[Lankan Ranger]

Sri Lanka wants China as a permanent member in SAARC.

Sri Lanka’s support to Iran depends on Pakistan’s decision.

Sri Lanka & Pakistan shares a common agenda on SARRC.

 

[third eye]

Sri Lanka wants China as a permanent member in SAARC.

Sri Lanka’s support to Iran depends on Pakistan’s decision.

Sri Lanka & Pakistan shares a common agenda on SARRC.

Why ?

Doesn't SL have a mind of its own ??

Or are we looking for brownie points here ?

 

[Lankan Ranger]

Why ?

Doesn't SL have a mind of its own ??

Or are we looking for brownie points here ?

Sri Lanka Pakistan Growing Ties

Shortly after the defeat of the Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka, Islamabad congratulated Sri Lanka and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hussein A. Bhaila of Sri Lanka called Pakistan a true friend saying:

"The government and the people of Sri Lanka have considered Pakistan as a true friend of Sri Lanka, which has always stood by it in times of need..."

Sri Lanka Pakistan defense cooperation

Sri Lanka started buying arms and ammunition from Pakistan in a big way from 1999. The total purchases until December 2007 were worth $50 million while there has been a sudden jump in the quantity of merchandise ordered in 2009 and the amount has been tripled.

With India reluctant to sign a Defense Cooperation Agreement with Sri Lanka and unwilling to supply it with the kind of weapons it is looking for, Colombo has turned increasingly to Pakistan. There are segments of opinion in Sri Lanka that are in fact in favor of the government finalizing a defense cooperation agreement with Islamabad.

In May 2000, President Musharraf of Pakistan supplied millions of dollars of much-needed weapons to the Sri Lankan government, when separatist Tamil Tiger rebels were about to recapture their former capital of Jaffna.

In August 2006, suspected LTTE rebels attempted to assassinate Pakistan's ambassador to Sri Lanka, Bashir Wali Mohamed, with a claymore mine in Colombo. Mohamed was not hurt but seven others died.

In May 2008, Lt. Gen Sarath Fonseka of the Sri Lanka Army held talks with his Pakistan Army counter-parts regarding the sale of military equipment, weapons and ammunition. The sale of 22 Al-Khalid MBTs to the Sri Lanka Army was finalised during these talks in a deal worth over US$100 million.[4]

In April 2009, Sri Lanka requested $25 million worth of 81 mm, 120 mm and 130 mm mortar ammunition to be delivered within a month.

Sri Lanka Pakistan economic cooperation

Pakistan is the second largest trading partner of Sri Lanka within the South Asian region. Sri Lanka was the first country to sign a FTA with Pakistan. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is operational from June 12, 2005. Covering 100 per cent duty concession offered by Pakistan on 206 products and by Sri Lanka on 102 products the FTA has been implemented

 

[Lankan Ranger]

 

[Lankan Ranger]

Pakistan seeks to expedite defence pact with Sri Lanka

Pakistan, a key arms supplier to Sri Lanka, has urged President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government to expedite the proposed “futuristic” bilateral defence cooperation agreement between the two countries. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who is here in Colombo for the 15th SAARC summit and held bilateral talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Rohitha Bogollagama, said Thursday that the proposed defence pact would further bolster defence ties between the two countries.

“Pakistan has already put forward to Sri Lanka the draft proposal for a (bilateral) Defence Cooperation Agreement. We want Sri Lanka to quickly move on that, because it would be a futuristic draft agreement to bring us closer,” Qureshi said.

He said Pakistan and Sri Lanka had traditionally enjoyed close friendly relations “based on mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in each other’s state”.

Claiming that Pakistan had been cooperating with Sri Lanka in its campaign against extremism and terrorism, Qureshi said his country had helped (militarily) Sri Lanka in difficult times in the past, as well as trained Sri Lankan army personnel and officers.

“It is a very satisfactory arrangement that we have now. Our current close military cooperation with Sri Lanka will certainly continue,” he said.

Pakistan seeks to expedite defence pact with Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Pakistan Defence Cooperation Agreement still under Negotiation.

 

[third eye]

All this still does not answer the Q.

Why should SL's support to Iran joining the SAARC depend on Pak's decision ?

 

[skyisthelimit]

SL is a free country and can take decisions on its own....y does it need Pakistan to take its decision??

 

[Lankan Ranger]

All this still does not answer the Q.

Why should SL's support to Iran joining the SAARC depend on Pak's decision ?

Now Pakistan Iran Relations Improving Good, But in the past Iran too close to other powers.

Sri Lanka won’t support any Anti-Pakistan move.

Sri Lankan Government AND Sri Lankan People thinks Pakistan as True Friend, Pakistan came to rescue Sri Lanka when Sri Lanka Suffering.