At the first SAARC Transport Ministers’ meet that begins in New Delhi on Wednesday, India will not only push for creation of major regional transport corridors but also enhanced postal connectivity, money transfer and parcel services in the region. The three-day meet, from August 29 to 31, will include discussion at Joint Secretary, Secretary and Ministers’ level.

Keen to expand the idea of improving connectivity in South Asia, India will use the SAARC forum to propose a host of “communication” channels. “Improving postal connectivity is high on the agenda and also borrows from the resolution passed at the 23rd Universal Postal Union Congress in Bucharest (2005-06) that calls for an efficient postal network throughout the world,” said a senior official.

International money transfer facility will be proposed to be extended to all member nations in the meet. “International money transfer is currently on only between India and Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka and with the latter two it is only outward transaction, we do not receive money from them. India will propose that both inward and outward electronic money transfers be allowed among all member nations,” added the official.

New Delhi will also go ahead with the introduction of the draft SAARC Regional Motor Vehicle Agreement in the session that allows people to travel freely across the region and facilitate smooth goods movement.

The meeting will discuss the multi-modal transport study and the 16 identified road/rail/aviation/shipping and inland corridors to decide on project viability. The issues of ensuring connectivity to Afghanistan will also figure prominently. The corridors identified under the multi-modal transport study do not include transport corridors to Afghanistan.