Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's cancellation of a planned visit to Dhaka to participate in the 13th Saarc Summit scheduled for February 6 and 7 has led to its postponement. Bangladesh government which had made elaborate preparations for the event has reasons to feel frustrated. This is the second postponement of the summit after the tsunami-induced one early January.

Let's not forget, deeper down the surface, it is a country or a nation that hosts such an august conference more than a government, and the sense of pride that a people derive from seeing it take place, happens to be extremely self-fulfilling, gratifying and inspiring. Bangladeshis pride themselves on pioneering the concept of Saarc and the late lamented SAMS Kibria who fell martyr to a diabolical brand of political extremism had made a signal contribution to the formation of Saarc. Thus we are a natural votary of continuity of Saarc summitry cycles, so that the organisation grows from strength to strength creating in the process rewarding and lasting bonds between the peoples of South Asia region.

Judging by what the Indian spokesman said in New Delhi about the last-minute change in Singh's plans, this appears to have been caused by the disturbing developments in Nepal and a deteriorating security situation in Bangladesh. It is not for us to make any value judgement on India's perception of the latest Nepalese scenario, but insofar as the security ambience in Bangladesh goes, we do have some observations to make. We understand the question of security but given all the assurances of the government of Bangladesh and India's security teams' presence, the visit could have been possible, more so in view of the exhaustive measures put in place in Dhaka for the safe movement and sojourn of the delegates to the Saarc Summit.

The agenda finalised for decision-making at the Dhaka Summit were of great import in terms of regional cooperation in the realms of trade and investment; combating trafficking in children, women and drugs; and controlling cross-border terrorism. All these were set against an otherwise congenial backdrop of improved Indo-Pak relations. We very much hope, so does the world, that the 13th Saarc Summit would be held sooner than later.