MALE – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that India had damaged the spirit of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Charter, which aims at regional cooperation.
The prime minister, who is in Maldives on a three-day visit to attend Independence Day celebrations, stated this during a joint news conference along with Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in Male.
Highlighting state terrorism by Indian forces, Nawaz said that he also held a discussion with the Maldivian President regarding Indian atrocities and gross human rights violations in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Both countries have agreed to make the forum (SAARC) more effective in order to achieve regional development and establish peace, he added.
Besides, Pakistan and Maldives have agreed to further strengthen bilateral ties in different areas, including trade, education, tourism, defence and people-to-people contacts.
The prime minister will participate as a chief guest in the celebrations of 52nd Independence Day of Maldives on Wednesday (today).
Speaking on the occasion, Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom said the bonds of goodwill will continue to manifest themselves in ever-closer cooperation between the two countries.
