In a strong message to Pakistan on SAARC Charter Day, India today said it was up to that country whether it wants to stop cross-border terrorism and allow the SAARC Summit to take place.
Today is 31st Anniversary of South Asian Association of Regional Countries (SAARC) and 32nd SAARC Charter Day.
Asserting that the SAARC member countries, while pulling out of the Summit to be held in Pakistan in November, had maintained that the atmosphere was not conducive because one particular country in the region is promoting cross-border terrorism and interfering blatantly, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the conditions remain the same.
"In this case the SAARC Summit cannot happen," he said, adding "it is up to Pakistan to say that it decides not to hold SAARC Summit and is ready to give it up to any country that wants to host it. And the things can go forward."
Amid heightened tension with Pakistan over Uri terror attack in which 18 soldiers were killed, India had announced its decision of pulling out of the Summit in September, citing increased "cross-border" attacks.
Apart from India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan also pulled out of the summit, indirectly blaming Pakistan for creating an environment which is not right for the successful holding of the meet, resulting in its collapse.
However, Swarup reiterated India's firm commitment to the eight-member regional bloc.
In his message, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said, "While SAARC has, albeit survived, it has not triumphed as had been envisaged, falling behind on the commitments and the promises that we had set out to achieve: progress and prosperity for the common good of our people.
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Swarup also rejected that India imposed restrictions on Pakistan Foreign Advisor Sartaj Aziz's movement when he came to Amritsar to attend the Heart of Asia conference.
Apart from allowing arrival and departure of Aziz, who led the Pakistani delegation, by air at Amritsar which is not a designated port for entry and exit of Pakistani nationals, Swarup said swift clearance was also given despite a last minute change in his scheduled arrival by a special flight.
In a hurriedly-called press conference after his return from Amritsar on December 4, Aziz had accused India of not treating the Pakistani media properly at the Heart of Asia meeting and said he was not allowed to have a press conference.
"The attitude towards media was not good. I wanted to have press interaction with our own media. But we were not allowed," he alleged.
Pakistan had also claimed that Aziz was not allowed to visit the Golden Temple and speak to Pakistani media at the hotel where he was staying even as India said it was done considering his security.
