11^th SAARC Summit concludes
[January 6, 2002 - 10.30 GMT]

The 11^th SAARC Summit ended today in Kathmandu with leaders officially ratifying the Kathmandu Declaration. 

Significant decisions were taken in the areas of poverty alleviation, accelerated economic cooperation, social sector development, terrorism and people-to-people contact among others.

Although bilateral matters are not discussed in keeping with SAARC regulations, unofficial meetings were held among many of the leaders.

With hostilities increasing in the Kashmir region, much of the attention of this year’s Summit focused on Indo-Pakistan relations. Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf made a surprise conciliatory gesture by shaking hands with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee after the former’s address to the Summit. India however has sought more tangible measures from Pakistan to counter cross-border terrorism.

The 12^th SAARC Summit is scheduled to be held in Pakistan in early 2003.

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Last Updated Date: January 6, 2002  - 10.00 GMT.