New Delhi, April 24: India is unlikely to attend the next summit of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation, which Pakistan is hopeful of hosting this year. The summit, which was earlier scheduled to be held in Islamabad in November 2016, was cancelled after India decided not to attend alleging Pakistan-based militants' involvement in the terror attack in Uri, which claimed 19 lives.

Top officials of the Narendra Modi government have reiterated that the official position on Pakistan will not alter till the western neighbour takes action on terror groups which have carried out attacks against India over the past decade.

"India is unlikely to be a part of SAARC Summit in Pakistan this year too. Talks and terrorism can't go along," a government source told news agency ANI.

The anti-Pakistan sentiment soared up within the power corridors of New Delhi after the lack of steps Islamabad took to curb the political ambitions of 26/11 attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed.

"Far from taking decisive action against him, the Pakistani deep state is looking towards giving him political patronage. This is definitely a disappointing sign for India," said former ambassador Vivek Katju while speaking to RSTV.

While announcing its withdrawal from the SAARC summit in 2016, India had accused Pakistan of using covert strategies to supplement terror in Jammu & Kashmir, as well as Afghanistan.

Islamabad, meanwhile, had rejected the charges levelled by New Delhi. Instead, it accused India of abetting the insurgent elements in Balochistan, Sindh and Northwestern Frontiers by "providing them logistical support".

The eight-member SAARC grouping comprises of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan and the Maldives. As per the SAARC Constitution, the general summit could be held only in the presence of all eight heads of states.

Experts claim the downslide in India-Pakistan relations is likely to continue till 2019. While Pakistan is headed towards general elections this year, it is unlikely to take on the chauvinist elements by cracking down on the fanatical militant groups. On the Indian side as well, the Modi regime is seeking re-election in the Lok Sabha polls next year. A passive approach towards Pakistan will allow the Opposition to launch an unprecedented attack against the Prime Minister.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 24, 2018 06:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).