AFGHANISTAN'S INCLUSION INTO SAARC

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 002333 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON AF NP SUBJECT: AFGHANISTAN'S INCLUSION INTO SAARC REF: STATE 187206 Classified By: DCM Elisabeth I. Millard, Reason 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) On October 26, Acting Foreign Secretary Nabin Bahadur Shrestha, in response to DCM sounding him out about Nepal's support for Afghan inclusion in SAARC (reftel),stated that SAARC would have to reach a consensus decision. He acknowledged that the idea had been floated in the past, but said that it was "too early for Nepal to say anything." He added, "Let's see." Comment -------------- ¶2. (C) Our sense is that Nepal will follow the decision of key players, such as India and Pakistan, on this issue. MINIMIZE CONSIDERED MORIARTY