Prime Minister KP Oli has said that he had spoken with Indian and Pakistani leaders to restart the stalled Saarc process.Among others, the 19th Saarc Summit to be held in Pakistan has been put on hold for the past two years due to rivalry between India and Pakistan. There has been no progress since the summit was postponed in 2016.

Unveiling a book titled ‘Effectiveness of Saarc and Regional Conference’ at a programme organised by the Federal Parliament Secretariat on Sunday, PM Oli said that building friendly relations based on mutual understanding, cooperation and collaboration among Saarc member states was essential for peace and prosperity in the region.

Oli, both during his recent visit to India and at the time of Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s visit here, had discussed about the need to resume the Saarc process. Stressing the need for getting over the differences between Saarc neighbours, PM Oli said: “Nepal is the current chair of Saarc. There is misunderstanding among some members. However, it is necessary to create cordial environment among the members.”

Former prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said every member state needs the services of Saarc and they all should join hands to enjoy its benefits. Despite some delay the book has come out as a very useful resource, he said.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Krishna Bahadur Mahara, while expressing concern over the delay in organisation of the biennial summit, urged all the member states to take the Saarc process ahead actively and effectively. The book incorporates activities held in the two-day seminar on Saarc.

Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali, Nepali Congress leader Sujata Koirala and Secretary General of Saarc Secretariat Amjad Hussain also made brief remarks on the occasion.