\\\'Kathmandu Declaration\\\' adopted

The last-ditch deal on energy cooperation for a common electricity grid has brightened the ‘Kathmandu Declaration’. The Saarc leaders welcomed the agreement and directed the relevant bodies to identify regional and sub-regional projects in the area of power generation, transmission and power trade, including hydropower, natural gas, solar, wind power and bio-fuel. The South Asian regional group’s leaders also directed them to implement those projects, if taken up, with ‘high priority’ to meet the increasing demand for power in the region. However, the 8 member states failed to ink much-expected connectivity and energy cooperation deals on the 1st day on Wednesday mainly due to Pakistan’s resistance. It took gloss off the high-profile gathering and prompted analysts to deride it a ‘talking shop’. They finally could not sign the other two deals related to road and railway connectivity but the declaration welcomed the ‘significant progress’ towards finalisation of those deals. The South Asian leaders agreed to hold a meeting of the transport ministers in 3 months to finalise the agreements for approval, according to a news agency.