NEW DELHI: India pulled out of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation ( Saarc ) summit to be held in Islamabad in November, automatically forcing its postponement and ratcheting up the pressure on Pakistan following the terrorist attack in Uri that led to the death of 18 soldiers.The move is aimed at undermining Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ’s stature and marks his country’s isolation in the region with other member nations rallying in support of India.“In the prevailing circumstances, the government of India is unable to participate in the proposed summit in Islamabad,” External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said. “We also understand that some other Saarc member states have conveyed their reservations about attending the Islamabad summit in November 2016.”He didn’t name the countries but ET gathered that Afghanistan and Bangladesh, two other members that have accused Pakistan of interfering in their internal matters, have backed India’s decision to pull out of the summit, which was to be held November 9-10. Bhutan has also extended support, officials said.The Pakistan Foreign Office said late on Tuesday that it hadn’t received any official communication but added that the Indian announcement was “unfortunate”. “Pakistan remains committed to peace and regional cooperation,” it said. “We will continue to work to that end in the larger interest of the people of this region.”India, which holds Pakistan responsible for a series of terrorist attacks on its soil, has been looking for ways in which it can put pressure on the neighbouring country to end these and bring the perpetrators to justice.Toward this end, the Modi government has been examining the Indus river water treaty and plans to review the most-favoured nation status accorded to Pakistan in 1996 on Thursday.India wouldn’t be able to attend the summit given the current situation, the government said.“India has conveyed to current Saarc chair Nepal that increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in the region and growing interference in the internal affairs of member states by one country have created an environment that is not conducive to the successful holding of the 19th Saarc summit in Islamabad in November 2016,” Swarup said.Nonetheless, India remains steadfast in its commitment to regional cooperation, connectivity and contacts but feels these can only go forward in an atmosphere free of terror, he said. India also handed over evidence to Pakistan on Tuesday of direct involvement of Pak-based terrorists in the Uri attack.