India for trans-border connectivity at SAARC

New Delhi, Feb 10: India will, at the upcoming 14th SAARC Summit here on April 3-4, stress on establishment of new trans-border transport networks and energy coridoors for improving connectivity within the sub-continent by ensuring free flow of trade, commerce, goods, people and ideas.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, in his address at the concluding function of the two-day SAARC Editors Conference here, said India would take the initiative in accelerating regional economic and political cooperation. Only then could South Asia be effectively connected with Southeast Asia, Central Asia and the Persian Gulf, he said.

''We will play a positive role in establishment of new trans-border transport networks and energy coridoors so that the 14th Summit of SAARC countries gives a clear signal for improving the connectivity within the sub-continent by ensuring free flow of trade, commerce, goods, people and ideas. Only then can we effectively connect South Asia with the abutting regions of Southeast Asia, Central Asia and the Persian Gulf,'' he said.

Outlining its vision of SAARC as one of regionalism, the External Affairs Minister made it clear that India sought a shared sphere of mutual development and cooperation and not an exclusive sphere of influence as was often misunderstood.

For its part, India is committed to developing political relations with its South Asian neighbours on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual respect.

He said India did not seek an exclusive sphere of influence, as was often misunderstood, but a shared sphere of mutual development and cooperation.

UNI