The 15th South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation Summit (SAARC) will be held in Kandy amid concerns about possible terrorist attacks by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the event. Fighting between the Sri Lankan military and LTTE has intensified since the government pulled out of the 2002 cease fire agreement with LTTE rebels on 16 Jan 2008.
The SAARC heads of state include Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who skipped a visit on 4 Feb 2008 to participate in the island's 60th anniversary of independence. Some 1000 delegates from the SAARC countries are expected for the event, and their security will be a concern if Sri Lanka's ongoing violence increases.
The representation of SAARC as major regional block is increasing and is rivaling the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), African Union and European Union. China had sought to become a member of SAARC, besides four other countries - Mauritius, Iran, Australia and Myanmar
The 15th SAARC summit precedes or follows major developments in all the member nations. Pakistan holds its election on 18 Feb 2008, and Bhutan holds its first general election on 24 Mar 2008. The country's commitment to SAARC and its attitude to China could change as a result of the eletion. Nepal is scheduled to have its first Constituent Assembly elections on 10 Apr 2008, and that vote will decide the fate of the 239-year old monarchy.
Bangladesh is being ruled by a military backed government, which has been in place since 11 Jan 2007. Most of the top politicians in Bangladesh including two former prime ministers have been arrested as part of an anti-corruption crackdown. Dozens of politicians have been tried and jailed. The international community is trying to push for a dialogue between the military-backed caretaker government and political parties to pave the way for "inclusive elections" before the end of 2008. Presidential elections are scheduled in Maldives in October. The present President Abdul Maumoon Gayoom, who has been in power since 1978, survived an assassination bid on him on 8 Jan 2008. Its preoccupation with the election controversy forced Maldives to host the 16th South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation in 2009 instead of the scheduled 15th SAARC summit in 2008.
The major issue that could engage the summit is the free trade agreement between the member nations. The commerce ministers of South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) are due to meet in New Delhi in Mar 2008, and the outcome of the meeting could impact the trade relations in the region.
SAFTA was set up in 2004 to ensure a gradual reduction of trade tariffs between South Asian countries, and came into force in 2006. India the biggest nation in the region would make attempts to phase out non-tariff barriers with SAARC countries India believes that non-tariff barriers are “irritant force in trade relations with member nations. Afghanistan joined SAFTA in Feb 2008.
The Sri Lankan government had made arrangements for special train services from Colombo to Kandy during the summit. The Srilankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa had initiated projects for the Kandy city development project ahead of the event.
The United States, European Union, China, Japan and South Korea attended the 14th SAARC summit in New Delhi on 3-4 Apr 2007. Iran, which was granted observser status at the New Delhi summit, is likely to attend the 2008 summit as an observer.
SAARC was formed in 1985 with seven members India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives. Afghanistan was added as the eighth member during the 14th SAARC summit. Feb/08
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