India ready to sign three key SAARC pacts

NEW DELHI, Nov 21 (BSS): The Indian Cabinet approved on Thursday night the signing and ratifying of the SAARC pacts on railway, motor vehicles and energy during the forthcoming 18th SAARC summit scheduled to be held in Kathmandu, Nepal on November 26-27.
The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Cabinet approved the signing and ratifying of the SAARC Regional Railways Agreement by India, as a member state of SAARC. The agreement will also enable
low cost, energy efficient and environmentally sustainable transportation in the region and provide trade and economic links.
The Indian Cabinet also approved the signing and ratifying of the SAARC Motor Vehicles Agreement and Bilateral Agreement for regulation of passenger traffic between India and Nepal on the sidelines of the forthcoming SAARC Summit.
The Cabinet also authorised the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to sign similar bilateral agreements and protocols with other SAARC member states. It also gave its nod for SAARC Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation among the SAARC member countries in the forthcoming Summit.
The Cabinet also cleared a Memorandum of Understanding between India and Nepal for strengthening cooperation in the field of tourism sector.