Saarc summit put off indefinitely

Pakistan yesterday indefinitely postponed a regional Asian summit after India failed to confirm its attendance at the seven-nation economic Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) summit, scheduled to take place in the Pakistani capital on January 11-13.

India responded by accusing Islamabad of blocking economic cooperation in South Asia.

"In view of the little time left to make proper preparations and in the face of the continued Indian refusal to confirm its participation, the government of Pakistan is regrettably left with no alternative but to postpone the 12th Saarc summit," Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman Kamran Niaz said.

India has sought what it calls a climate of reconciliation before Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee went to Pakistan for the summit. It also insisted on progress on trade issues, which Indian foreign ministry spokes-man Navtej Sarna said had been lacking.