Security Tight as S. Asian Leaders Meet in India; Living Standards Key Issue

Two kings, three presidents and two prime ministers representing a billion people in South Asia met here Sunday to discuss ways of raising living standards in the region and other issues.

The leaders of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which form the fledgling South Asian Assn. for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), met at the ornate Parliament building in Bangalore under tight security.

“SAARC is in very good shape,” declared President Hussain Mohammed Ershad of Bangladesh as he handed the chairmanship to Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi at an opening ceremony.

“We have much to gain from peace, progress and stability in our region,” Gandhi replied.

Gandhi emphasized that the agreed charter of the organization, founded last December in Dhaka, Bangladesh, excludes formal discussion of political or bilateral issues.

Sri Lanka Conflict

But much attention focused on meetings outside the conference structure aimed at halting the bloody ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka and stopping a slide in relations between India and Pakistan.

Gandhi, in talks Saturday with Sri Lankan President Junius R. Jayewardene, offered new proposals for ending the three-year-old Tamil rebellion in Sri Lanka, according to authoritative sources. India is trying to mediate a settlement of the conflict. The two leaders met again Sunday on the issue.

India contains more than 50 million Tamils, and the Sri Lankan guerrilla groups have their headquarters in the Indian city of Madras.

Gandhi was at the airport in the south Indian city of Bangalore with a guard of honor Saturday to welcome the six visiting leaders--Ershad, Jayewardene, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan, Maldives President Abdul Gayoom, King Birendra of Nepal and Pakistani Prime Minister Mohammed Khan Junejo.