Days after Sri Lanka joined its neighbours in India’s boycott of the SAARC summit in Islamabad, the country joined the growing demand that the regional organization counter cross-border terrorism to endorsing New Delhi’s concerns on cross-border terror.

After a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visiting Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe cited Sri Lanka’s experience with war and terrorism, and warned that SAARC would become irrelevant without addressing terrorism.

Mr. Wickremesinghe said that, “The issue of cross-border terrorism is on the table and the heads of states of SAARC will have to address this challenge. SAARC will become irrelevant if cross-border terrorism is not addressed.”

“Cross-border terrorism might worsen if SAARC is thrown away,” he said and added that three countries out of the eight-member regional grouping was afflicted by security problems.

“I don’t think war (India-Pakistan) is an option. Your Prime Minister has already taken a lot of steps to defuse tensions.”

“For India and for me, this is a crucial phase; a solution needs to be found. Let us see how we can move forward on dealing with this phase,” he said asking for diplomatic measures.

In his meeting with Mr. Wickremesinghe, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh appreciated that Sri Lanka “is in general agreement with India on the need for a UN CCIT (Comprehensive Convention against International Terrorism).”

“Sri Lanka is a country that works in cooperation with the international community on the basis of truth seeking, justice, reconciliation and development,” he said.

Last week, Afghan Ambassador to India Shaida Mohammad Abdali also demanded that the SAARC should address the threat of cross-border terrorism.

Also Read: Sri Lanka also pulls out of Saarc summit in Islamabad!

Nandini