India Blocks China SAARC Membership

Apr. 27 – India has apparently blocked an attempt by China to obtain membership in theSouth Asian Association for Regional Co-Operation (SAARC). China currently has observer status, but an attempt by member-nation Nepal to upgrade China to full status has been blocked through Indian lobbying. The move comes following moves by China to block ADB loans and other financing for projects along India’s border regions.

“A fresh entry into SAARC? I am afraid not. We have eight members and that is the way it is going to stay,” Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao commented in Delhi on Friday. SAARC has been dominated by India since its formation in 1985.

Dubbed “the poor man’s club for aspiring rich people,” the area is now considered by China to be key and part of its own back yard. There is also some resentment from other members of the SAARC that India has had too much say and that China should be included to provide more financial and political balance. Beijing has indicated that it may assist India’s entry into theShanghai Cooperation Organization in return for SAARC membership.

Source: http://www.2point6billion.com/news/2010/04/27/india-blocks-china-saarc-membership-5479.html