The Sixteenth Summit of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has begun in the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu on Wednesday afternoon.
Addressing the inaugural session, Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley said SAARC has many challenges ahead in implementing the agreements signed in the past. He further stressed on the need for combined efforts for countering terrorism.
He also highlighted his country’s national philosophy ‘Gross National Happiness’ and claimed it to be the best sought after at the time of instability, violence and disasters that are increasing day by day.
On the occasion, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksha handed over the SAARC chair to Thinley. Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal is due to address the summit shortly.
The two day summit will adopt few declarations including one on climate change. This is the first time Bhutan is hosting SAARC summit
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