17th SAARC summit

The 17th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit was held in November 2004 in Islamabad, Pakistan. This summit gathered leaders from the eight member states of SAARC—Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—focusing on enhancing regional cooperation in economic, cultural, and social domains. Key issues addressed included poverty alleviation, trade enhancement, and the promotion of peace and security in South Asia. The summit also produced the Islamabad Declaration, which emphasized the urgency of collaborative strategies to combat terrorism and foster sustainable development in the region. The 17th SAARC Summit is regarded as a pivotal moment in the association's history, reflecting member states' commitment to regional solidarity and mutual growth.