The 19th Saarc Summit to be hosted by Pakistan in November is likely to be postponed. India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan – four of the eight members of the South Asian grouping – deciding to pull out, citing incitement of terrorism in the region.

Stepping up its diplomatic offensive to boycott Pakistan globally following the Uri terror attack , India on Tuesday said that it would not take part in the upcoming South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Islamabad in November.

“In the prevailing circumstances, the government of India is unable to participate in the proposed SAARC summit in Islamabad,” ministry of external affairs(MEA) said in a statement on Tuesday.

“We also understand that some other SAARC states have also conveyed their reservation about attending the summit in November 2016,” the MEA said.

India’s decision to not attend the SAARC summit also rules out PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Islamabad in November for the same.

Following which Bangladesh and Bhutan have also pulled out of the Saarc Summit in Islamabad in November, saying the environment is not right for the successful holding of the meet.

The decision was conveyed by Bangladesh and Bhutan on Tuesday to the Saarc chair Nepal, sources said.

“The growing interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh by one country has created an environment which is not conducive to the successful hosting of the 19th Saarc Summit in Islamabad in November 2016,” the communication by Bangladesh said.

“Bangladesh, as the initiator of the Saarc process, remains steadfast in its commitment to regional cooperation, connectivity and contacts but believes that these can only go forward in a more congenial atmosphere. In view of the above, Bangladesh is unable to participate in the proposed Summit in Islamabad,” it said.

Bhutan said while it is committed to the Saarc process and strengthening of regional cooperation, it is concerned over the “recent escalation of terrorism in the region, which has seriously compromised the environment for the successful holding of the 19th Saarc Summit in Islamabad in November 2016.”

“Further, the Royal Government of Bhutan shares the concerns of some of the member countries of Saarc on the deterioration of regional peace and security due to terrorism and joins them in conveying our inability to participate in the Saarc Summit, under the current circumstances.”

Besides India, Bhutan and Bangladesh, Afghanistan have also decided not to participate in the summit.As a result SAARC meet is cancelled this year.

About SAARC Summit

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union in South Asia. Its member states include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

It was founded in Dhaka in 1985. Its secretariat is based in Kathmandu. The organization promotes development of economical and regional integration. It launched the South Asian Free Trade Area in 2006. It maintains permanent diplomatic relations at the United Nation as an observer and has developed links with multilateral entities, including the European Union.