New Delhi
7 March 2007
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso is likely to represent his
country at the 14th SAARC Summit in New Delhi, according to Japan's Ambassador to
India Yasukuni Enoki.
Iranian diplomatic sources have told this newspaper that Iran has formally requested for
an observer status in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Union Minister of State of External Affairs E Ahamed is in Tehran for the ministerial-level
meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim countries.
Japan is one of five countries and/or organisations to have been granted observer status
in the South Asian regional grouping. The other four are China, European Union, Republic
of Korea and the United States.
The 14th SAARC Summit will be held in New Delhi on April 3 and 4. Founded in 1985, the
SAARC includes Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan and
Afghanistan.
The Japanese envoy told this newspaper that Tokyo was keen on Mr Aso's visit to India
but no official decision has been taken yet. "We hope the foreign minister of Japan will
be representing Japan at the SAARC Summit," Mr Enoki said.
Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee is expected to travel to Tokyo later this
month. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to make an official visit to India
later this year.
Iranian diplomatic sources said that a formal letter has been handed to SAARC Secretary-
General Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji by Rasool Islami, Director-General for West Asia Affairs
in the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The IRNA news agency of Iran recently reported that in the meeting between Mr Islami
and Mr Dorji in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu, Mr Islami noted that Tehran's
membership in the SAARC would be beneficial for both sides because of Iran's
geographical position and economic strength. Mr Dorji, in turn, is reported to have said
that Iran's request for observer status would be taken up for discussion during the
meeting of ministers of foreign affairs of SAARC member countries in April.
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