SAARC Countries Leaders visited India

SAARC Countries Leaders visited India on 26 May 2014. They visited India as a part of swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had substantive meetings with all eight leaders who visited India after the swearing-in ceremony.

Meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka
PM Modi requested the government of Sri Lanka to expedite the process of national reconciliation which devolved wide powers to the Tamil community in a united Sri Lanka. He called for early and full implementation of the Thirteenth Amendment and going beyond would contribute to this process.

He expressed interest in early launch of the 500 MW Sampur Coal Power project and greater connectivity between the two countries.

Meeting with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan
During his meet with Karzai, PM Modi reitered India’s commitment to the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan. Wishing for a prosperous, independent and sovereign Afghanistan, he called for the reconciliation process that would be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, and Afghan-controlled.

Meeting with Prime Minister of Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan
Modi assured Bhutan support for their socio-economic development and agreed to commence four new joint venture hydroelectric projects with a generating capacity of 2120 MW in Bhutan.

Meeting with President Abdulla Yameen of Maldives
Both the leader agreed to take measures to further strengthen investment and trade cooperation as well as cooperation in projects (especially petroleum and natural gas sector, tourism and educational sectors).

Meeting with Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam of Mauritius

Both leaders agreed to further strengthen the relationship, especially economic cooperation and interactions in the field of maritime security, renewable energy, and the blue-economy, including development of related infrastructure.They had agreed to work together with all other member countries in further strengthening the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

Meeting with Prime Minister Sushil Koirala of Nepal
Modi stressed for further strengthen connectivity and economic inter-linkages between India and Nepal, including through projects for rail and road connectivity. He also stressed the importance of expediting implementation of these projects and particularly projects in the hydropower and transmission sectors.

Meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan
Both the leaders underlined mutual concerns relating to terrorism.  He conveyed that Pakistan must abide by its commitment to prevent its territory and territory under its control from being used for terrorism against India.

He also expects the necessary steps will be taken in the Mumbai terror attack 2008 trial. Both the leaders agreed for the Foreign Secretaries will remain in touch and improve the bi-lateral relations and move immediately towards full trade normalisation on the basis of the September 2012 roadmap.

Meeting with Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury
Modi appreciated the cooperation of Bangladesh with India in all areas of mutual interest including security, power, border management, rail and road transport.