India to host conclave of top tour operators from SAARC region to boost tourism

Addu City (Maldives), Nov. 10 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Thursday said India will host a conclave of top tour operators from the SAARC region to boost tourism.

Stating that the SAARC nations should encourage its people to know more about each other, Dr. Singh in his statement at the inaugural session of the XVIIth SAARC Summit said: ""In this spirit, I wish to announce the following initiatives that India will take. We will host a conclave of the top dozen tour operators from the SAARC region to boost tourism exchanges.

"We will take the initiative to establish a travelling exhibition on the ancient history of South Asia. This could comprise of a hundred archeologically-significant pieces per country to be selected by member States. The exhibition can be hosted in each of our national museums in turn for three months," he added.

The Prime Minister said India will increase the number of SAARC Silver Jubilee Scholarships for the South Asian University from 50 to 100

"Post-graduate courses in the South Asian University have started in July 2010. India will increase the number of SAARC Silver Jubilee Scholarships for the South Asian University from 50 to 100. 75 of these will be at the Masters level and 25 at the doctoral level," he said.

Dr. Singh further emphasised on the protection of environment.

"Protecting our environment even as we pursue rapid growth is essential. The India Endowment for Climate Change, which I had announced last year, has been established. We look forward to receiving project proposals from our SAARC partners," said Dr. SinghWe will provide a total of ten scholarships per year to SAARC Member States for post-graduate and doctoral studies in forestry courses at the Forestry Research Institute of India, Dehradun," he added.

The Prime Minister said SAARC provides a unique platform to put aside our differences and work towards a higher calling.

"The destiny of South Asia lies in our own hands. SAARC provides a platform for us to put aside our differences and work towards a higher calling. We have a long way to go, but I am confident that we can realize our true potential through sustained effort," said Dr. Singh.

"We have to learn to trust each other and to learn from each other. The security and stability of our countries are closely interlinked. None of us can prosper in isolation to each other. We cannot afford to allow the many problems we face to stand in the way of our ambitions and dreams," he added.

The Prime Minister said India is happy to host the ad hoc Secretariat for the Union, and to sponsor training courses at our Postal Staff College to train upto ten SAARC officials per year, belonging to interested Member States.

"I commend the Postal Administrations of SAARC for agreeing to establish a South Asian Postal Union. India is happy to host the ad hoc Secretariat for the Union, and to sponsor training courses at our Postal Staff College to train upto ten SAARC officials per year, belonging to interested Member States," said Dr. Singh.

"We should follow up this agreement by improving our telecommunication linkages to reduce call rates and telecommunication tariffs and interconnection termination charges. India will be ready to facilitate the development of a regional telecommunications infrastructure to improve the quality of connectivity," he added.

Dr. Singh further said the SAARC nations should encourage greater broadcasting, television and film exchanges.

"We should encourage greater broadcasting, television and film exchanges among our countries. It is time that we overcome the information deficit among the SAARC countries. We should encourage our people to know more about each other," he added. (ANI)