India seeks to reinvigorate regional ties at South Asia summit

KATHMANDU: South Asian leaders will meet in Kathmandu Wednesday with regional superpower India seeking to boost trade and reinvigorate ties in its backyard, but analysts say little can be achieved while its bitter rivalry with Pakistan persists.

The leaders of the eight South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries are meeting for the first time since the election of a new Indian government that is eager to avoid losing influence to rival power China.