Nowhere in the world are collective efforts more important than in south Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) Summit here Wednesday.
“Nowhere in the world are collective efforts more urgent than in South Asia; and, nowhere else is it so modest: PM @narendramodi,” ministry of external affairs spokesman Syed Akbaruddin quoted Modi in a tweet.
“How much have we done in SAARC to turn our natural wealth into shared prosperity,” Modi asked.
He, however, reassured the summit that south Asia is slowly coming together.
The prime minister also said that the future he dreamt for India was the future that he wished for the entire SAARC region.
Business Visa for SAARC Nations
Modi said India will give business visa for three to five years for SAARC countries and called for making procedures simple and facilities better.
“India will now give business visa for three-five years for SAARC countries,” Modi said at the two-day SAARC summit that began Wednesday.
“I also believe that if we can light up each other’s towns and villages, we can build a brighter tomorrow for our region,” he added.
He noted: “India has huge trade surplus with SAARC countries. I believe that this is neither right nor sustainable.”
“Let’s all make our procedures simple, our facilities better, our standards common and our paper work less burdensome.”
Indian satellite for SAARC in 2016
Narendra Modi announced the launch of a satellite for the SAARC region in 2016.
“We plan to launch our satellite for the SAARC region by the SAARC Day in 2016,” external affairs ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin tweeted, citing Modi.
“We must work with compassion of our hearts, but also with the power of science,” said the prime minister.
Modi said India’s gift of a satellite for the SAARC region “will benefit us”.
Mumbai Attack
Narendra Modi recalled the horror of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack at the SAARC summit and stressed on the need to combat “terrorism and trans-national crimes”.
“Today, as we remember the horror of the terror attack in Mumbai in 2008, we feel the endless pain of lost lives,” said Modi said at the opening of the two-day SAARC summit here.
“Let us work together to fulfil the pledge we have taken to combat terrorism and trans-national crimes,” he added.
As many as 166 people were killed in the Nov 26-28 Mumbai terror attack in which 10 gunmen from Pakistan sneaked into India and let loose a reign of terror.
Education
Narendra Modi said India is prepared to connect students in the south Asian region through e-libraries.
“IT has removed all barriers to quality education. India is prepared to connect our south Asian students through online course and e-libraries,” Modi said at the two-day Saarc summit that began Wednesday.
Modi also highlighted the need to use the strength of shared heritage and diversity.
“We should use strength of shared heritage and our diversity to encourage tourism within our region and present south Asia to the world,” he said.
–IANS