Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has arrived in Maldives to participate in the 17th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, SAARC summit beginning at the Addu Islands tomorrow.

In his departure statement in New Delhi this morning Dr. Singh said India expects to move forward on the process of liberalization of trade under the South Asian Free Trade Area Agreement and for enhanced Intra regional connectivity.

Agreements on Implementation of Regional Standards, Multilateral Arrangement on Recognition of Conformity Assessment, Rapid Response to Natural Disasters and establishment of a SAARC Seed Bank are also expected to be signed during the Prime ministers visit to Maldives.

The Prime minister said, India has always emphasized the importance of enhanced connectivity in the socio economic development of the South Asian Region.

He said, New Delhi has taken several initiatives to improve connectivity on a bilateral, sub-regional and regional basis and is willing to do much more.

Dr Singh said, India will work to promote greater integration as well as the development of South Asian identity at the forthcoming summit.

The Prime Minister's high level delegation includes External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon.

After the summit, the Prime Minister will visit Male and address the People’s Majlis, the Parliament of Maldives.

During his four-day visit to the island nation, Dr. Singh is also expected to hold bilateral talks with the heads of SAARC countries including Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.