The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has emphasised the need to enhance intra-regional exchanges through people-to-people contact, mutual co-operation. During an interaction with a delegation of SAARC editors and working journalists, who called on him today, the Prime Minister said that the people of the region should learn from each other's experiences and knowledge. While the people of the region might be aware of what is happening in the developed world, they were blissfully unaware of what was happening in their region. Hence, there should be more interactions between people, he added.

In reply to a question, the Prime Minister reiterated the irreversibility of the process of economic liberalisation and pointed out that three successive governments decided not to reverse the direction of liberalisation. Responding to another query, the Prime Minister exhorted the SAARC countries to get rid of excessive protectionism. Dr. Manmohan Singh said that modernisation of the State is most essential, if the immense potential of SAARC countries is to be realised. He also noted that the State would have to play a pioneering role in the development of infrastructure services and delivery systems. The State should also create an environment for the growth of private enterprises.

The Prime Minister wished the members of the delegation the very best in their endeavours at the ongoing conference. Delegates from SAARC countries; Shri Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office; Dr. Sanjaya Baru, Media Advisor to the PM; and Dr. Shakuntala Mahawal, Principal Information Office & Chairperson of the SAARC conference were among those present on the occasion.

The journalists are in the capital to attend the IInd Conference of Editors and Working Journalists of the SAARC countries, which commenced today.