DHAKA, Nov 11: India issued a blunt warning on Friday that failed states could emerge in South Asia, as leaders gathered in Dhaka for 13th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

Saarc is seeking new impetus at its weekend meeting after failing in its two decades of existence to boost regional integration due to old rivalries and domestic conflicts.

“The danger of a number of failed states emerging in our neighbourhood has far-reaching consequences for our region and our people,” Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said at a lecture in New Delhi before leaving for Dhaka.

Instability could generate refugee flows and destabilize border areas, he said.

“We see signs of the ills of disaffection, alienation and conflict not only in India, but also across our neighbourhood.”

Although Mr Singh did not name any country, analysts said he could be referring in particular to Nepal and Bangladesh.

Nepal is struggling to fight a Maoist insurgency while political parties pit themselves against King Gyanendra, who sacked the government and took power earlier this year.

Bangladesh is in the grip of a security clampdown after a wave of bombings in recent months by militants.—Reuters