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Dhaka Expresses 'Shock' at India's Decision Not to Attend SAARC Summit


Bangladesh has expressed "shock and dismay" at India's decision to withdraw from this weekend's South Asian regional summit in Dhaka, partially for security reasons.

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Shamsher M. Chowdhury called New Delhi's withdrawal "unacceptable." He said comprehensive security arrangements were made at an unprecedented level and all Indian security concerns were fully considered.

Pakistan, which currently chairs the seven-nation South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, or SAARC, has also questioned New Delhi's decision.

India announced earlier today (Wednesday) that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will not attend the two-day gathering.

Indian officials said the decision was partially motivated by political upheaval in neighboring Nepal, as well as by security concerns in Bangladesh following last weekend's grenade attack on opposition leaders.

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