Pitching for building a South Asian Union on the lines of European Union, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today said that countries in the region should pool their wisdom and work to remove the roadblocks that prevent South Asia from realizing its true destiny.

Inaugurating the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute for South Asian Regional Cooperation for Peace and Development at the Pondicherry University this evening, Dr Singh said, the events in the Euro zone should not cast a shadow over efforts at building unity and eventually a South Asian union.

Dr. Manmohan Singh said, the events in the Euro zone should not cast a shadow over our own efforts at building unity and eventually a South Asian union. If anything, we have not been ambitious enough in working towards building a united South Asia where each of our countries seeks its economic and social salvation through cooperative development within the region and by leveraging each other’s strengths.

Pointing out that the world is passing through troubled times, the Prime Minister said, the financial and economic crisis that has gripped Europe in recent years has many important lessons and implications for the Asian Region.

Stating that a stable, prosperous and united Europe was good for the world, Dr Manmohan Singh said, the European project, has served as a guiding light to regional cooperation in the world, including South Asia.

On SAARC, the Prime Minister said, New Delhi is strongly committed to strengthening the grouping. He said India was happy that important initiatives that symbolize the idea of South Asia are taking shape.

The South Asia University has started its work and will soon have its own full-fledged campus outside Delhi. The SAARC Development Fund has become operational and has started implementing projects under its social window.

We however need to cooperate more closely to critically understand issues relating to food, energy and water security, disaster management, health and education and address them from a holistic and regional perspective.

Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's office, Mr V.Narayanasamy, Puducherry Lt. Governor Iqbal Singh and Chief Minister, N.Rangaswamy participated in the function.

Dr Manmohan Singh who arrived in Puducherry this evening on a two day visit to the Union Territory, will deliver the convocation address at JIPMER tomorrow and will inaugurate the newly built women and children hospital.