Amritsar: Ahead of the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) summit, Foreign Secretary Shashank today (Dec 30, 2003) highlighted the need for unity to combat menace of terrorism and moving in the direction of economic cooperation.

"We have to be united against terrorism. We have to be united for free trade. We have to be united for better economic cooperation," he told reporters in Amritsar on his arrival from Delhi before entering Pakistan through the Wagah border.

Shashank, who will be attending SAARC Foreign Secretaries meeting ahead of the summit, said, "I am sure, once we have people to people cooperation and we have the economic links, this will go a long way.

"The whole world has changed. They are all moving against terrorism. They are moving for economic cooperation and other cultural cooperation. And we have to move in that direction."

Shashank will attend the meeting of Standing Committee of Foreign Secretaries of the seven-member regional grouping to prepare the groundwork for the ministerial meeting on January 2 and 3.

SAARC Foreign Ministers will submit a draft declaration for the consideration of the three-day summit of SAARC leaders from January 4.

The Foreign Secretaries will deliberate on the issue of terrorism, which has assumed greater significance in view of the recent assassination attempts on Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

The officials will also discuss a draft document on a South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).

Indian officials said there were still some issues that need to be resolved in this regard.

The meeting will be chaired by Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar.