Gen’s banquet but only biotech on Sibal menu

Accompanied by Biotechnology Secretary M.K. Bhan, Sibal will sell brand India in pharmaceutical and agricultural products to his fellow ministers in the multi-lateral dialogue. The ACD, which started as a Thailand initiative along with 17 other countries, has now spread over 24 countries to promote economic cooperation and transport linkages.

Incidentally, Sibal will be flying to Islamabad from the principality of Monaco, where he will showcase Indian electric car ‘‘Aryan’’ at a car show. The car, partly supported by the Science and Technology Ministry, now finds takers among British Members of Parliament and even Japan.

Sibal, who left for Monaco tonight, will not be carrying a message from the UPA leadership for Musharraf before the latter comes to New Delhi on April 17. Ministers from the 24 countries will be hosted by President Musharraf at a banquet after the meeting. In the run-up to the dialogue, it has been decided that a consortium of the member countries in biotechnology be set up in India to promote collaboration, joint research and development in existing bio-resources in Asia.

Besides science and technology, the conference will look at increasing transport linkages between the member countries to bolster trade and economic cooperation. Though Sibal does not have the mandate to take up bilateral transport linkages with Pakistan, he will be discussing with his counterparts in China, Thailand, Japan and Myanmar on how to forge closer economic ties by linking trade routes.