The 17th SAARC summit was inaugurated in Addu, Maldives by the President of Maldives. SAARC includes Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
In his innagural address the President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed spoke
“South Asia… is becoming more powerful and more prominent than at any other point in our history… the future is ours to shape,” the President told the Heads of State, Heads of Government, VIPs and dignitaries assembled in the Equatorial Convention Centre in Hithadhoo.
“For too long, South Asia was considered a sideshow in the theatre of global politics but today, we occupy centre stage. The eyes of the world are upon us. This is our time to shine,” he added, in a speech enthused with optimism for the future of SAARC and the region.“We can only achieve [our] goals, if we work together… because our success, is dependent on our neighbour’s success; economic stagnation in one part of our region, dampens prosperity in another; instability in one member state, causes insecurity for us all,” the President added.“We can only make progress if we integrate our economies, ensure our financial system is stable, and foster a political climate that creates confidence,” he said. [Source]
Addu city where the SAARC summit is held is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives and is one = of the most populated atolls in the Maldives, with over 30,000 people, the islands are connected with each other through a ‘link road’ and the islands are comparatively larger than that of other islands in the Maldives.
Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh reached Maldives yesterday


S.M Krishna – Indian Foriegn Minister’

The convention center where the SAARC summit is being held. Picture during the construction stage

Prime Minister of India Dr.Manmohan Singh

Nepal’s Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa
[Image Credits - Haveeru]
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