Against the backdrop of the serial blasts in India and unrest in Sri Lanka's north and Pakistan's tribal belt, the menace of terrorism is likely to dominate the agenda of the upcoming Saarc summit here apart from the key issues of food security, climate change and energy crisis.
The two day Saarc-related deliberations among top officials of the member states, which concluded yesterday, gave priority to the four issues offood security, energy crisis, terrorism and climate,according to officials.
"The recent terror related incidents in India, the war against terror in Sri Lanka and problems in Pakistan could bring up the issue of terrorism to the centre stage though other important issues would also be discussed in detail," a top official said here.
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) summit, is also likely to be discussed the expansion of the regional grouping.
The military-ruled Myanmar has already requested for membership of the South Asian grouping. Besides, Australia has also approached the Saarc secretariat to give it an observer status.
The representations from Australia and Myanmar could be considered at the summit, officials said. Meanwhile, a foreign ministry official said that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) commenced its meeting, with Sri Lanka taking the chair from India.
On President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumingthe chair as the head of the Saarc,Sri LankanForeign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said his appointment would pave way forfinding solutions to issues with common interest for the region.
