Nepal's foreign minister invites PM Nawaz to 18th SAARC Summit

The summit is being held in Kathmandu in November

ISLAMABAD: Nepal's Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Panday on Thursday extended an invitation to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to participate in the 18th SAARC Summit being held in Kathmandu in November, an official handout stated.

The meeting took place at the PM House where Ambassador of Nepal to Pakistan Bharat Raj Paudyal and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi were also present.

“Pakistan wishes to nurture closer economic and cultural relations between the two countries,” the premier said.

“Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Nepal is not reflective of our political ties, and the potential that exists in both countries for which institutional mechanisms such as the Joint Economic Commission, need to be made more effective,” Prime Minister Nawaz said.

Further, he said, “Apart from strengthening bilateral relations with Nepal, Pakistan is particularly keen to promote SAARC activities in partnership with Nepal. Resolution of disputes between SAARC countries is important for SAARC’s progress, and Nepal can play its due role in this regard.”

During the meeting, it was also acknowledged that it is important for SAARC to develop economic partnership with major countries within the region, which is essential for its growth.

Panday also conveyed Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala’s best wishes, and expressed the desire to further strengthen and develop bilateral relations.

Prime Minister Nawaz reciprocated the sentiments, while conveying his best wishes for a successful SAARC Summit.