Islamabad drags its feet on New Delhi's proposal on Saarc energy centre

NEW DELHI: Notwithstanding bonhomie at Ufa last Friday that resulted in the launch of limited engagement between India and Pakistan, Islamabad has dragged its feet on an Indian proposal to merge Saarc energy centre located there with the grouping’s proposed centre on environment and disaster that New Delhi would host.

The Pakistani intransigence on the Indian proposal came to the fore at a meeting in Islamabad of eight Saarc member states from July 8-10, coinciding with the Ufa meeting. India was represented at the meet by a high-powered delegation comprising senior officials from departments of space, environment and forests, official sources said. The delegation deliberated with the Pakistani establishment on the necessity of merging Saarc energy centre with the grouping’s disaster management centre, with an eye on utilising India’s best practices and expertise in disaster, forestry and coastal zone management, official sources said.

People familiar with the creation of the new centre claimed Pakistani officials did not appear to agree with the import of the proposal as they felt a centre will be removed from their jurisdiction.