Narendra Modi will not attend SAARC Summit

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pulled out of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit to be held in Islamabad in November. India said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not attend the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit, a regional meeting of South Asian leaders, in Pakistan in November. Pakistan's foreign ministry called India's move "unfortunate" and said it remained committed to peace and regional cooperation. In a statement, it accused India of meddling in Pakistan's internal matters. According to media reports, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan have also pulled out of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit in Islamabad. India's announcement came hours after Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, warned India against drawing more water from three rivers that flow from India into Pakistan. He said that he said there is no provision of suspension in the treaty, adding that according to international law, India cannot unilaterally revoke the treaty. “If India tries to violate the treaty, there will be a befitting reaction from Pakistan,” he said. The adviser said Pakistan is gaining support of international community on the issue. “Pakistan is considering to brief P-5 countries and international community about the dangers of suspending the treaty.” Sartaj Aziz said the provocative statements and actions from Indian leadership on Indus Water Treaty are violation of international laws and breach of the treaty. Previously, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called a meeting yesterday of the advisers and high-ranking officials over the Indus Water Treaty but, on the advice of his advisers, decided not to review the Treaty with Pakistan, but decided to expedite work on three dams in order to stop the water of the Chenab River. The decision was made during a meeting to review the Indus Waters Treaty on Monday. The dams – Pakal Dul, Sawalkot and Barsa – would be constructed as per the decision. They are of the view the Indus River originates from China, not India, and it will be deprived of 36 percent of water if it diverted the Indus River. Moreover, China holds the control of the Brahmaputra River, which is the most important source of water for India.