Amidst heightened tension with Pakistan over Uri terror attack in which 18 jawans were killed, India had announced its decision of pulling out of the Summit late last night citing increased "cross-border" attacks.
While Bangladesh has categorically said that "the growing interference" in its internal affairs by one country has "created an environment which is not conducive to the successful hosting of the SAARC Summit", Afghanistan pulled out citing "terrorism in the region" for its abstention.
Afghanistan has also conveyed to SAARC Chair Nepal that President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani would not be able to attend the Summit, sources said.
"Due to increased level of violence and fighting as a result of imposed terrorism on Afghanistan", President Ghani "with his responsibilities as the Commander-in-Chief will be fully engaged, and will not be able to attend the Summit", a communication by the country said.
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The decision by India and three countries of the eight- member grouping not to attend the summit would lead to its collapse since as per the SAARC charter the Summit can not be held even in the absence of one head of the government.
The Foreign Secretary had also issued a demarche yesterday to Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit over the attack while confronting him with the proof of "cross-border origins" of the terror strike.
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