Kathmandu: Nepal and Pakistan have decided to revitalize the stalled SAARC process after newly elected Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli held bilateral talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
During the meeting on Monday evening, both the leaders discussed the matters related to enhancing bilateral cooperation in the fields of investment, trade, tourism, agriculture and human resource development, said a statement issued by Nepal’s Foreign Ministry.
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Oli and Abbasi agreed to hold regular meetings of bilateral mechanisms and the talks also emphasised on the stalled South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) process. The Pakistani leader sought to host the summit of the regional grouping and asked Nepal to create a “favourable environment” for the same.
Nepal is the current chair of the regional grouping.
On matters relating to the Saarc, Oli’s chief political advisor Bishnu Rimal said “both leaders held a common view on taking the Saarc forum ahead as it was a common platform for all member countries and still significant”.
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“They also emphasised on resolving any issue of difference in Saarc through dialogue and discussion,” Rimal was quoted as saying by the Himalayan Times.
In the meeting, Oli responded to Abbasi’s invitation to visit Pakistan by saying “he would make the visit in an opportune time”. The Pakistani Prime Minister also congratulated his Nepali counterpart over his election as the Prime Minister and wished him a successful tenure.
