My distinguished friend, Mr. N. Ram, Mr. Sashi Kumar and Mr. Navtej Sarna, distinguished participants coming from SAARC countries.

I consider it a privilege for me to be amidst you in this concluding session. I am quite confident that two days of deliberations has reflected in the conclusion of a resolution. Of course, I have not been able to go through it totally, I just started reading and there would be some recommendations which will be also followed up in the subsequent conference. I am happy indeed to have this opportunity of welcoming you amidst us just on the eve of the 14th SAARC Summit which we are going to host in April. As I mentioned, I understand that the debate has been invigorating on critical issues facing the media of the South Asian sub-continent. It is particularly gratifying that this public-private enterprise launched by our Ministry and the Media Development Foundation has succeeded in bringing together such a distinguished gathering of editors from all the SAARC countries just weeks before we are to host the 14th SAARC Summit in New Delhi.

I have over the last few weeks, undertaken visits to all SAARC countries - Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Afghanistan carrying letters from our Prime Minister to the Prime Ministers and Presidents of those countries inviting them to attend the 14th SAARC Summit. I also extended invitation to my counterparts to participate in the 28th SAARC Council of Ministers Meeting scheduled to be held before the Summit. Only one member country of SAARC I have not yet visited, that is, Bangladesh which I would be doing shortly before the end of this month. My visits have not only provided me an opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest but also strengthened in my mind the conviction that the South Asian sub-continent has a common future and we have to work together for it with mutual trust and confidence. For its part, India is committed to developing political relations with its South Asian neighbours on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual respect. What we seek is not an exclusive sphere of influence –as is often misunderstood- but a shared sphere of mutual development and cooperation. Our vision for the SAARC region is one of regionalism. India’s strong support to the entry into SAARC as observers, among others - China and Japan - underlines our commitment to open regionalism in the Subcontinent. In this context, I can also mention very recently we have revised the updated treaty with Bhutan which reflects the ground realities. The treaty which was signed in 1949 immediately after Independence of India required revision and we did so without any problems. This reflects that India wants to extend its hand of cooperation to all countries on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual respect.

India is conscious that no South Asian nation can succeed on its own. Globalisation and the advent of modern technology have endowed us with options that never existed before. We must create a stake for every nation in the economic success of the other. As we prepare to host the next SAARC summit, India will take the initiative in accelerating regional economic and political cooperation. We will play a positive role in the establishment of new trans-border transport networks and energy corridors so that the 14th Summit of SAARC countries gives a clear signal for improving the connectivity within the subcontinent by ensuring free flow of trade, commerce, goods, people and ideas. Only then can we effectively connect South Asia with the abutting regions of South East Asia, Central Asia and the Persian Gulf.

The media of the SAARC region has witnessed dynamic growth across media categories and such growth has thrown up quality issues in its wake. New technologies have blurred traditional distinctions between media formats and the convergence of formats has thrown up new challenges. Gatherings such as these can help share experiences from differing political milieus and lead to strategies that can harness the growth and power of modern media technologies for the good of the common man of the entire region. Given its immense reach, there is a need, perhaps more than ever before, for the media to be fully aware of its own power and its responsibility it bears for creating proper understanding between neighbouring countries. In many ways, the media is the torch-bearer of better people-to-people contacts. This only highlights the need for media persons as well as media products to move easily across our borders. One sentence from any one you have the potential to reach millions. It can correct a wrong; it can create an image; it can plant a seed of understanding. I would encourage that such conferences be held regularly, already you have decided to have the next one in Karachi, so that the full potential of the media in helping create a peaceful and closely integrated neighbourhood is realized.


Thank you.

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