The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC) informal foreign ministers meeting due to take place on&nbsp;September 25 at&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/on-unga-sidelines-jaishankar-discusses-afghanistan-indo-pacific-in-bilateral-meetings-414763">United Nations</a> General Assembly (UNGA) has been cancelled over Pakistan's objection on&nbsp;who will represent Afghanistan at the meet.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-first-address-at-un-general-assembly-2021-us-president-joe-biden-says-ended-afghan-war-to-enter-new-era-of-diplomacy-414726">Also Read:&nbsp;US President Joe Biden says ended Afghan war to enter new era of diplomacy &nbsp;</a>

SAARC had reached a consensus with Afghanistan's representation with an "empty seat" as a key solution for the informal foreign ministers meet to take place.

However, the consensus broke down with Pakistan&nbsp;insisting on&nbsp;certain conditions&nbsp;which included the Taliban's representation. At the United Nations, Afghan Republic's envoy Ghulam Isaczai still represents his country. He is listed to speak at the UNGA as well for his country. &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-call-french-president-emmanuel-macron-indian-prime-minister-narendra-modi-discuss-indo-pacific-afghanistan-414666">Also Read:&nbsp;Macron, PM&nbsp;Modi discuss Indo-Pacific, Afghanistan</a>

A note verbale by Nepal foreign ministry sent on September 21 said, "due to lack of concurrence from all member states as of today, the informal meeting of the SAARC council of ministers proposed to be held in person on September 25, 2021....will not take place". Nepal is the chair of the grouping. The SAARC secretariat also sent a similar letter of cancellation of the meet.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-general-assembly-2021-alarm-to-wake-up-world-key-points-from-strong-speech-by-secretary-general-antonio-guterres-414680">Also Read:&nbsp;Key points from strong speech by Secretary General Antonio Guterres</a>

The SAARC secretariat had sent a note verbale on September 14 announcing the date for the meet on September 25&nbsp;at 3 pm (New York time). Nepal as the chair decides on invitations to the meet.&nbsp;It is not known&nbsp;who Nepal sent the invite to in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan saw a dramatic change of government on August 15&nbsp;after Kabul fell into the hands of the Taliban. In the chaos, the Afghan government led by President Dr Ashraf Ghani fell. It&nbsp;led to questions over who represents Afghanistan at various international forums&nbsp;but so far the Afghan mission representatives globally appointed by Ashraf Ghani hold the fort.

The current development assumes significance amid the deteriorating&nbsp;India-Pakistan ties. In 2019, the meeting&nbsp;took place at&nbsp;the sidelines of UNGA. Last year, the meet was conducted in&nbsp;virtual mode. The meeting has been taking place since 1997 annually on the sidelines of the UNGA.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC) informal foreign ministers meeting due to take place on September 25 at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has been cancelled over Pakistan's objection on who will represent Afghanistan at the meet.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC) informal foreign ministers meeting due to take place on September 25 at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has been cancelled over Pakistan's objection on who will represent Afghanistan at the meet. Also Read: US President Joe Biden says ended Afghan war to enter new era of diplomacy SAARC had reached a consensus with Afghanistan's representation with an "empty seat" as a key solution for the informal foreign ministers meet to take place. However, the consensus broke down with Pakistan insisting on certain conditions which included the Taliban's representation. At the United Nations, Afghan Republic's envoy Ghulam Isaczai still represents his country. He is listed to speak at the UNGA as well for his country. Also Read: Macron, PM Modi discuss Indo-Pacific, Afghanistan A note verbale by Nepal foreign ministry sent on September 21 said, "due to lack of concurrence from all member states as of today, the informal meeting of the SAARC council of ministers proposed to be held in person on September 25, 2021....will not take place". Nepal is the chair of the grouping. The SAARC secretariat also sent a similar letter of cancellation of the meet. Also Read: Key points from strong speech by Secretary General Antonio Guterres The SAARC secretariat had sent a note verbale on September 14 announcing the date for the meet on September 25 at 3 pm (New York time). Nepal as the chair decides on invitations to the meet. It is not known who Nepal sent the invite to in Afghanistan. Afghanistan saw a dramatic change of government on August 15 after Kabul fell into the hands of the Taliban. In the chaos, the Afghan government led by President Dr Ashraf Ghani fell. It led to questions over who represents Afghanistan at various international forums but so far the Afghan mission representatives globally appointed by Ashraf Ghani hold the fort. The current development assumes significance amid the deteriorating India-Pakistan ties. In 2019, the meeting took place at the sidelines of UNGA. Last year, the meet was conducted in virtual mode. The meeting has been taking place since 1997 annually on the sidelines of the UNGA.

SAARC foreign ministers' meet cancelled over Pak row on Afghan 'empty' seat

India's Prime Minister Narendra <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-speaks-to-qatars-sheikh-tamim-discuss-investment-energy-security-348336">Modi </a>has said that the "full potential" of the SAARC grouping can only be realized in an "atmosphere free of terror and violence".

In his message on the 36th SARRC Charter day, he said, "let us recommit ourselves to defeating the forces that support and nurture terrorism, and to work collectively towards a secure and prosperous South Asia."

His comments come even as cross-border terror from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/state-above-a-state-sharif-regrets-that-no-pak-pm-able-to-complete-full-term-ever-348063">Pakistan</a> remains a key concern in the region with New Delhi and Kabul publicly voicing concerns many times.&nbsp;

The 19th SAARC Summit was supposed to happen in Islamabad but was cancelled after India boycotted it in the backdrop of the terror attack at an army camp in Uri, Jammu, and Kashmir. Later other countries&nbsp; - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives joined the boycott.

The Indian Prime minister in his message also talked about COVID -19 crisis, saying, "the early coordination between SAARC countries for dealing with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/five-dead-in-pakistan-covid-19-hospital-due-to-oxygen-deficiency-staff-suspended-348121">COVID-19</a> pandemic is an example of the benefit that our region can derive from greater collaboration."

"India will continue to work with other countries in the region to ensure a robust recovery after the pandemic," PM Modi asserted.

The Indian prime minister had called for a "virtual: SAARC summit earlier this year to deal with the crisis, one of the key outcomes of the meet was the creation of COVID-19 emergency fund to deal with the crisis.

India reiterated that it "remains committed to an integrated, connected, secure and prosperous South Asia, and will continue to support the economic, technological, cultural and social development of the region."

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the "full potential" of the SAARC grouping can only be realized in an "atmosphere free of terror and violence".

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the "full potential" of the SAARC grouping can only be realized in an "atmosphere free of terror and violence". In his message on the 36th SARRC Charter day, he said, "let us recommit ourselves to defeating the forces that support and nurture terrorism, and to work collectively towards a secure and prosperous South Asia." His comments come even as cross-border terror from Pakistan remains a key concern in the region with New Delhi and Kabul publicly voicing concerns many times. The 19th SAARC Summit was supposed to happen in Islamabad but was cancelled after India boycotted it in the backdrop of the terror attack at an army camp in Uri, Jammu, and Kashmir. Later other countries - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives joined the boycott. The Indian Prime minister in his message also talked about COVID -19 crisis, saying, "the early coordination between SAARC countries for dealing with COVID-19 pandemic is an example of the benefit that our region can derive from greater collaboration." "India will continue to work with other countries in the region to ensure a robust recovery after the pandemic," PM Modi asserted. The Indian prime minister had called for a "virtual: SAARC summit earlier this year to deal with the crisis, one of the key outcomes of the meet was the creation of COVID-19 emergency fund to deal with the crisis. India reiterated that it "remains committed to an integrated, connected, secure and prosperous South Asia, and will continue to support the economic, technological, cultural and social development of the region."

Full potential of SAARC can be realised in atmosphere free of terror: PM Modi

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SAARC foreign ministers' meet cancelled over Pak row on Afghan 'empty' seat

Full potential of SAARC can be realised in atmosphere free of terror: PM Modi