SAARC nations should identify areas of challenges: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: South Asian countries should identify specific areas of common heritage, challenges and opportunities to foster region-wide cooperation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today while committing India's full support to the SAARC process.

He made the remarks here while receiving Nepalese Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey who handed over to him a formal invite from Prime Minister Sushil Koirala for attending the upcoming SAARC Summit in Kathmandu on November 26-27.

Modi, who had invited leaders of all SAARC countries for his swearing-in in May, reiterated that he attaches the highest level of priority to relations with SAARC countries and that he keenly looks forward to participating in his first Summit of the eight-member grouping.

He considered the SAARC as a vital instrument to add to the strength of each member nation and advance collective action for shared prosperity in the region, a PMO statement said.

In addition to promoting regional connectivity and integration, Modi said the SAARC countries should identify specific areas of common heritage, challenges and opportunities to foster region-wide cooperation, it said.

Committing India's full support to the SAARC process, he also expressed strong belief that SAARC countries had much to learn from each other`s experiences and strengths.

Modi, who undertook his first visit as Prime Minister to Nepal in August, conveyed his gratitude to the people and the government of that country for the warmth and affection, as well as the "extraordinary hospitality", which he received during the trip, the statement said.

He welcomed the progress in key areas of bilateral relations since the visit.

He expressed hope for early completion of the drafting process of Nepal`s Constitution, the statement said.