NEPAL TO HOST 18TH SAARC SAARC SUMMIT

NEPAL TO HOST 18th SAARC SUMMIT
Kathmandu, 11 Nov.: Nepal will host the 18th SAARC summit.
The two-day eight-nation annual 17th South Asian summit concluded in Maldives Friday.
Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai led the 11-member Nepal
team to the regional summit.
RSS adds: Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai who is in Addu city of the Maldives to attend the 17th SAARC Summit hold talks with Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina Wajed in Addu this afternoon.
On the occasion, the two leaders discussed topics related to SAARC and strengthening the relations between Nepal and Bangladesh.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that both the prime ministers exchanged views on the possibility of expanding sub-regional cooperation between Nepal, Bangladesh, North-east India and Bhutan as well as collaborating with the other members of the SAARC.
The prime ministers of both countries also held talks on mutual trade, tourism and investment promotion. The Bangladeshi prime minister expressed commitment to provide the possible assistance in promotion of Nepal’s trade.
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SUPREME COURT REVIVES CORUPTION CASES AGAINST TWO FORMER IGPs AT SPECIAL
COURT

Kathmandu, 11 Nov.: A joint bench of the supreme Court Friday ordered a special court to reopen corruption cases against former Nepal Police IGPs Acchyut Krishna Kharel and Motilal Bohara by overturning the lower court’s earlier decision.
The apex court ruled the earlier decision was
faulty after CIAA asked for a review of the
decision.
The special court dismissed CIAA petition on technicality; the CIAA was dismissed on basis of statute of limitations—without taking up charges leveled against the police chiefs.
The special court will now be hearing corruption charges against five former IGPs.
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SECOND NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL STANDARD BEGNS SATURDAY
Kathmandu, 11 Nov.: The Second Conference on National Standards will be held in Kathmandu from November 12-13. The first conference was held in Kathmandu University in Dhulikhel of Kavre, RSS reports.

Some 150 delegates will participate in the conference to be held at Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) meeting hall, said Network for Quality, Productivity and Competition Nepal, Bishnudas Dangol.

The conference is organised aiming to raise awareness at a time when the quality of goods has been decreasing, said Saurav Jyoti, an industrialist. Experience will be exchanged on the ISO-9000 among others in the conference.

Chairman of the International Quality Academy, quality expert Janak Mehta and FNCCI former Chairman Kush Kumar Joshi as well as other 30 experts will present working papers in the conference.

The conference is jointly organised by the Department of Standards, NTB, KU and FNCCI and NQPCN.
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CHINA WANTS GREATER
PRESECE IN SOUTH ASIA

Kathmandu, 11 Nov.: China is seeking an active role in the eight-member South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, an official said Friday, in a move likely to be resisted by India, AFP reports from Addu, Maldives.

The eight-member grouping wraps up a summit Friday in the Maldives marked by talks between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, whose leaders spoke of a "new chapter" in relations.
Maldivian officials said China, an observer along with the United States, Japan and the European Union, was expecting a higher profile as a "dialogue partner" in the light of Beijing´s increased strategic interest in many South Asian states.

Hectic behind-the-scenes moves were under way over China´s bid to elevate its status, diplomatic sources told AFP, adding that Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Maldives and Sri Lanka appeared in favour.

Beijing was said to be unhappy being a mere observer and wanted a more active role as a "dialogue partner" because of its investment in the economies of many member states.

India would likely be suspicious of any greater Chinese role. New Delhi has watched with anxiety as Beijing has forged ties with many countries in the South Asia region, often by dispensing aid and soft loans for infrastructure.

Beijing established an embassy in the Maldivian capital Male just two days before SAARC leaders opened their 17th summit in the Addu atoll, the southernmost point in the archipelago on Thursday.

The summit is expected to endorse a draft agreement which calls for the "comprehensive review of all matters relating to SAARC´s engagement with observers, including the question of dialogue
partnership."
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