Three countries join India in boycotting the SAARC summit in November

Bangladesh, Bhutan and now Afghanistan have backed India by confirming they will not participate in the SAARC summit scheduled in November in Islamabad, India Today reported.

Bangladesh, Bhutan, and now Afghanistan. The Indian campaign to isolate Pakistan in the aftermath of Uri attack has worked with the three countries today confirming that they will not participate in the annual SAARC summit which is scheduled in November this year in Islamabad.

"Due to increased level of violence and fighting as a result of imposed terrorism on Afghanistan, the President of Afghanistan with his responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief will be engaged, and will not be able to attend the SAARC summit," the Afghan government said in its letter to Nepal, which is the current SAARC chair.

India on Tuesday announced it will not attend the SAARC summit in Islamabad in November, saying that regional cooperation and terror can't go together. Pakistan has termed the boycott as "unfortunate".

According to diplomatic sources, in official communication sent to SAARC chair Nepal on Tuesday, the Bangladesh government said, "The growing interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh by one country has created an environment which is not conducive to the successful hosting of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016."

"Bangladesh, as the initiator of the SAARC process, remains steadfast in its commitment to regional cooperation, connectivity and contacts but believes that these can only go forward in a more congenial atmosphere. In view of the above, Bangladesh is unable to participate in the proposed Summit in Islamabad," the statement further said.