SAARC Summit: India for China as an observer

India said a MoU would have to be signed between SAARC and China in case it was associated with the group.

Favouring inclusion of China into SAARC as an observer or a dialogue partner, India on Saturday said 'certain modalities' have to be worked out for which a special session of the Standing Committee of the organisation will be convened early next year.

HT Image

Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would have to be signed between SAARC and China in case it was associated with the seven-nation South Asian organisation. China has made a request to the SAARC for admission into the organisation either as an observer or a dialogue partner.

"We would welcome inclusion of China on mutually-beneficial basis... But certain modalities have to be worked out," Saran said on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit here.

Depending on whether China is associated as a dialogue partner or an observer, Beijing will have to sign an MoU like that exists with Japan, Germany and the European Union, Saran added.

To work out the modalities, Saran said, the SAARC has decided to convene a special session of Standing Committee early next year.