H.E. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, President of the Republic of India, in his first Address to the Nation on the eve of India’s Sixty-sixth Independence Day said that “SAARC was created 27 years ago to find solutions through dialogue, and by mutual cooperation create the rapid economic growth that is the only long-term answer to problems like migration and uneven development. SAARC must acquire vigour to fulfill its mandate”.

The President also mentioned that the SAARC should be a major instrument in the common war against terrorists. Great success is possible for international cooperation. All SAARC nations must cooperate to bring to justice those who believe in mayhem against innocents. There is no other way towards peace on the subcontinent.