Maldives is perhaps the only SAARC country to be free of security problems. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has geography to thank for that. His country, comprising several islands, is located in the Indian Ocean a few hundred kilometres from the sub-continent. It has a steady economy and is a quiet paradise for tourists.

SAARC keen on economic union

Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Also see: The Musharrafs at the Taj

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