Regional ferry service on SAARC table

The idea of a regional ferry service follows the India-Maldives initiative for a passenger and goods ferry between Kochi and Male. The eight-member regional confederation is expected to note the need for the ferry to supplement road and rail networks. The summit,themed Building Bridges,will focus on developing efficient transportation and communication links to allow greater movement of people,investment and trade,and increased cultural exchanges.

The draft declaration reflects SAARC member states agreement on the importance of an effective mechanism to combat maritime piracy through collaborative engagement at the regional level. They are likely to back Maldivess initiative in preparing a concept paper,which has been circulated to all member states. Maldives has offered to host an inter-governmental meeting in 2012 on tackling piracy.