Male (Maldives), Sept 23: In a veiled attack on Pakistan, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today asserted that "some irrational political motivations" were hindering efforts for closer economic integration within SAARC and called for "partnership" among democratic societies in the global war against terrorism. Vajpayee, who held wide-ranging discussions with Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, said India was willing to extend unilaterally the maximum possible economic and trade concessions to the least developed countries within SAARC. "We cannot let growth and development remain hostage to petty political jealousies."

At a luncheon hosted in his honour by Gayoom, Vajpayee said "some irrational political motivations are hindering our efforts for closer economic integration within SAARC".

Later, at a civic reception, the Prime Minister said "our region has suffered from the ravages of terrorism for decades" and stressed that it was a global war calling for "partnership among democratic societies, which are most threatened by the bigoted ideologies that drive terrorism." The two sides decided to intensify cooperation in tourism, health, infrastructure, human resource development, fisheries and several other key areas.

Offering all possible support to the economic development of Maldives, Vajpayee announced that the two sides had agreed for cooperation in digital mapping and hydrographical surveys of the Maldivian land mass and coastlines.

A team from the department of space, Survey of India and the Indian Navy`s hydrographic unit will carry out this work.

Vajpayee said the two sides were also discussing the establishment of a remote sensing centre and a satellite telemedicine link between Maldivian healthcare centres and premier hospitals in India. Bureau Report