NEW DELHI, Nov 30: India on Wednesday said it welcomed China’s wish to develop ties with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) which earlier this month held its 13th summit in Bangladesh.

“We would welcome similar association with other interested countries as well,” India’s junior minister for foreign affairs, E. Ahamed, told parliament, adding that besides China, Japan has shown interest in the grouping.

“The Saarc council of ministers will decide the modalities in this regard in July next year,” Ahamed told the lower house.

Any decision to allow China to have links with the regional forum would require the agreement of all seven Saarc members. Options include China becoming a dialogue partner or an observer, according to Saarc officials.

Ahmed said New Delhi welcomed the new membership offered to Afghanistan in Saarc.—AFP