Thaindian News

New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) India Saturday pushed for greater intra-regional trade and connectivity ahead of the Nov 10-11 SAARC summit in the Maldives at which South Asian nations will unveil initiatives to set up a seed bank and a regional rapid response mechanism to fight natural disasters.

The leaders of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and the Maldives will gather for their annual two-day summit in the picturesque Addu Atoll in the Maldives Nov 10-11 to explore ways to deepen regional economic integration and promote greater connectivity.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh leaves Wednesday for the 17th SAARC summit that focuses on the overarching theme of “Building Bridges”.

Four agreements will be signed at the summit, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai told reporters here.

Two custom and trade-related agreements will be signed. The summit is expected to culminate in a joint declaration pledging the creation of new regional cooperation mechanisms, including a seed bank to boost agricultural productivity and rapid action force to deal with natural disasters like cyclone and quakes.

The rapid action force mechanism entails quick deployment of assistance teams in emergency situations and post-disaster delivery of relief.

The SAARC countries have already set up a food bank, development fund and South Asian university as part of initiatives to promote greater regional interaction across all fields.

Ahead of the summit, India pushed for greater intra-regional trade and enhancing road and rail links in the region.

“Trade in the region must grow faster. We expect intra-regional trade to increase,” said Mathai.

Alluding to Pakistan’s decision to grant India Most Favoured Nation status (MFN), Mathai said. “MFN will have a very positive effect on intra-SAARC trade,” he added.

Underlining India’s commitment to regional integration, Mathai said New Delhi was committed to implementing SAARC projects in an “assymetrical and non-reciprocal manner.”