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NEW DELHI: Despite a bitter row over the death sentence awarded to former navy commander Kulbhushan Jadhav, India has cleared a proposal to host a disaster management seminar in Gandhinagar for officials from Pakistan and other member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, the Indian Express said on Friday.
The seminar is likely to be held in May.
“We have finalised the Saarc training plan, and Pakistan will be invited. But it is up to Islamabad to decide whether it wants to send their representative or not,” the paper said, quoting a home ministry official.
The Saarc Disaster Management Centre (SDMC), which was being run from Delhi since last year, was shifted to the Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management (GIDM) in January after Pakistan said it had ‘no objection’ to the move. Other Saarc nations — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka — had already given their nod, officials said.
According to the home ministry’s proposal, the GIDM will hold a module on ‘application of space technology and managing risks’ and ‘programme on short-range regional early warning system’.
Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2017
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Comments (37) Closed
Apr 15, 2017 02:17pm
Pakistan will attend as it is world's most peace loving country.
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Apr 15, 2017 02:58pm
Pakistan should keep away from the country which sent Kulboshan Yadav to kill and plant bombs inside Pakistan.
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Apr 15, 2017 03:25pm
Don't go.
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Apr 15, 2017 03:32pm
You did it now we will do it?
If this is our attitude then maybe never we live in peace.
Welcome to India.
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Apr 15, 2017 03:43pm
It is a disaster management and preparedness related SAARC seminar (not the political). If Pakistan doesn't attend, that would be your loss. I believe, before the seminar, the SAARC satellite will already be launched and this seminar may focus how satellite observations could help in disaster management and preparedness.
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Apr 15, 2017 04:23pm
Pakistan should not attend any SAARC program with hostile countries which boycotted SAARC program in Pakistan. Pakistan should focus on other markets.
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Apr 15, 2017 04:30pm
It is better to wait and see how the things turn out against Pakistan. Pakistan must not repeat the incident of Amritsar.
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Apr 15, 2017 04:36pm
Pakistan should come out of SAARC.
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Apr 15, 2017 04:40pm
The last such meeting that was held in India and Pakistan attended but the Indians were not so 'accommodating' hosts!
Perhaps it would be wise for Pakistan to abstain on this occasion!
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Apr 15, 2017 04:48pm
SAARC is consist of small countries which are directly or indirectly dependent on India and Now It has become a blackmailing and Propagandist group of India, so we don't need to attend this.
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Apr 15, 2017 05:07pm
I thought SAARC was finished.
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Apr 15, 2017 05:12pm
This can be a ploy to get Pakistan out of the SAARC group.
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Apr 15, 2017 06:26pm
Once in a while Pakistan should excuse herself attending such seminars.
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Apr 15, 2017 06:36pm
Even Basit may not agree to attend.
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Apr 15, 2017 06:38pm
In my opinion, Pakistan must attend this as it is for the benefit for the whole South East Asia. Boycotting SAARC will bring nothing other than Pakistan being isolated in its own boundaries.Pakistan can use this opportunity to establish itself and become an integral part of the meeting which can further help strengthen their relations as well as strike important development and trade deals.This can also help form a force with countries to help protect against terrorism just like we did with Saudi Arabia.It is our duty to help bring peace and stability to the region and help others achieve peace.Just because India is not on talking terms does not mean we should cut off others.Attending this would also strengthen Pakistan claims on striving for dialogue over issues rather than preaching hate. India and Pakistan can grow together of we work together. Both sides must accept each other status as independent countries and must resolve the Kashmir issue and stop interfering in state matters.
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Apr 15, 2017 06:45pm
Saarc has nothing left as a substance but India and their cronies Bangladesh and Afghanistan they just dance to their tune Pakistan has to look for other alliances in the new emerging countries in the region
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Apr 15, 2017 07:01pm
"India to invite Pakistan to Saarc seminar".
India, you are a fool to invite Pakistan, this will not improve Indo-Pak relationship.
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Apr 15, 2017 07:45pm
Dont attend.
You were abused by the little mayor of Kabul last time in Dehli, dont make the same mistake again.
SAARC is futile.
Focus on UK, China, Turkey, GCC
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Apr 15, 2017 07:46pm
Due on going problem between 2 arch rival, 3 country should host the summit is in good in trust for Asian countries
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Apr 15, 2017 08:17pm
@Foolish India - "India, you are a fool to invite Pakistan, this will not improve Indo-Pak relationship."
What makes you think that India is interested in improving tier? India is a bully country and because it doesn't intimidate Pakistan and never has, it tries to find ways to isolate Pakistan.
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Apr 15, 2017 08:24pm
Pakistan must attend the SAARC seminar, and propose a resolution that "All Saarc members must respect peaceful coexistence,and territorial integrity,and help maintain their sovereignties, non- interference in internal affairs, and extend help to each other against natural calamities,against terrorists,against human/ drug traffickers, ease travel,trade,and convert whole Saarc region into a peaceful region."The Pak NSA Mr Janjua has already said 'Pak & India cannot remain hostile forever', this needs reciprocal answer from India.
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Apr 15, 2017 08:40pm
Its no longer SAARC - Its agenda completely hijacked by India. No point in attendance SAARC is dead beat.
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Apr 15, 2017 09:24pm
Pakistan should not Participate. Pakistan should quit SAARC.
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Apr 15, 2017 09:38pm
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka — had already given their nod, officials said....doesn't make any difference if Pakistan attend or not....
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Apr 15, 2017 09:39pm
@pakistani better off without pakistan
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Apr 15, 2017 09:46pm
Another meeting to bash Pakistan at. We should stay away unless we enjoy getting insulted.
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Apr 15, 2017 10:24pm
@Alka -- Really! In any case, Pakistan is certainly most welcome. We love Pakistan people!!
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Apr 15, 2017 10:30pm
@Khalid toronto, "Don't go."
Don't come.
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Apr 16, 2017 05:05am
Pakistan should refuse flatly to participle in any such gathering.
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Apr 16, 2017 05:15am
India is in the process of improving connectivity, business and technology sharing between South Asian countries. What possible use could a country like Pakistan be in such an environment?
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Apr 16, 2017 06:28am
Pakistan should attend by sending a junior Minister.
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Apr 16, 2017 06:34am
@Tariq, Lahore
India will never be accommodating hosts for Pakistanis going forward. I have already started feeling a gap with my old Indian professional friends.
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Apr 16, 2017 06:40am
@Saif zulfiqar I agree totally. Especially when many SAARC projects are stalled by Pakistan.
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Apr 16, 2017 06:46am
@Khwarizmi That would be great.
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Apr 16, 2017 06:47am
@Desi Great idea
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Apr 16, 2017 07:27am
@point of view It is South Asian satellite not SAARC satellite now
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Apr 16, 2017 04:27pm
Pakistan should attend. This is a technical matter and should be dealt by technical team. No need to bring politics in everything. After all you cannot change your neibhours. Both Pakistan ands India need to understand this to reduce the plight of their poor population.
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