New Delhi, July 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India on Tuesday reiterated its support for stronger regional cooperation through SAARC, while saying that countries across South Asia are aware of the factors responsible for the grouping’s prolonged deadlock.
The remarks by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal came after Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu called on SAARC member nations to resume dialogue and work towards regional peace and cooperation.
Responding to a question during a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Jaiswal said India has consistently supported regional cooperation but added that such efforts require mutual trust and goodwill.
“India has made its position very clear regarding regional cooperation. India favours strong regional cooperation and has been working towards it for several decades now,” Jaiswal said.
“Everyone in South Asia is aware of which country and what activities are responsible for stymying SAARC. After all, cooperation does require goodwill,” he added.
SAARC was established in Dhaka on December 8, 1985, with the objective of promoting economic development, social progress, cultural exchange and regional stability among Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The regional grouping has remained largely inactive since 2016, after India decided not to participate in the 19th SAARC Summit scheduled in Islamabad following the Uri terror attack.
India has repeatedly maintained that cross-border terrorism has affected the environment required for meaningful regional cooperation.
New Delhi has also accused Pakistan of using international platforms to raise issues related to India through what it describes as misleading narratives.
Last week, India rejected remarks made by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty at an ASEAN forum in Manila, describing them as an attempt to divert attention from Pakistan’s internal challenges and alleged support for cross-border terrorism.
The MEA said multilateral platforms should not be used to spread what it called misinformation and reiterated that constructive cooperation requires sincerity among member countries.
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