With the Saarc placing a premium on consensus with each member country having veto powers, the decisions and deliberations have taken on a greater meaning.
The forum also forbids members from raising any bilateral issues. And with two crucial items on the agenda—Mutual Assistance Treaty and SAFTA—the stakes are high during any bilateral talks.
Meanwhile, China, Japan and Korea today expressed their willingness to associate with the forum, playing a greater role. Addressing the summit here as an observer, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said the Government of Japan will cooperate more with Saarc to achieve better regional connectivity.
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