Amritsar, Dec 30: Ahead of the Saarc summit, Foreign
Secretary Shashank today highlighted the need for unity to
combat menace of terrorism and moving in the direction of
economic cooperation.
"We have to be united against terrorism. We have to be
united for free trade. We have to be united for better
economic cooperation," he told reporters here on his arrival
from Delhi before entering Pakistan through the Wagah border.
Shashank, who will be attending Saarc Foreign Secretaries
meeting ahead of the summit, said "I am sure, once we have
people to people cooperation and we have the economic links,
this will go a long way."
"The whole world has changed. They are all moving against
terrorism. They are moving for economic cooperation and other cultural cooperation. And we have to move in that direction."
Shashank will attend the meeting of standing committee of
foreign secretaries of the seven-member regional grouping to
prepare the ground work for the ministerial meeting on January 2 and 3.
Saarc foreign ministers will submit a draft declaration
for the consideration of the three-day summit of Saarc leaders
from January 4.
The foreign secretaries will deliberate on the issue of
terrorism which has assumed greater significance in view of
the recent assassination attempts on Pakistan President Pervez
Musharraf.
The officials will also discuss a draft document on a
South Asia Free Trade Agreement.
Indian officials said there were still some issues that
need to be resolved in this regard.
The meeting will be chaired by Pakistan foreign secretary
Riaz Khokhar.
Bureau Report
