A routemap to tackle terrorism and crimes in Saarc countries has been urged by India - suggesting a greater cooperation among poljte (bices of the nations andc>;changc of, their ■ human and material rcsbuj'ces. .

Sri Prakash Jaiswgl, India's state minister for home, spoke about the strengthened cooperation on Monday while inaugurating a two-day conference of heads of police training institutions in Saarc countries in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad -- a city that was recently rocked by a spate of terror attacks including twin bomb blasts, leaving 43 people dead.

The police training institutions of the 21st century must train police officers to meet the challenges of tomorrow to protect their

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nations in an ever-changing complexworld, Jaiswal said. "We need to evolve a shared vision of the future for our region. Such a vision must be rooted In our common values and based on our individual and collective strengths that will enable South Asia to realise its full potential in the 21 st century," he added.

The minister said Saarc countries must "make effective use of the regional three-tier mechanism to share experiences, information and data, learn from one another's success stories and mistakes."

At the conference, delegates from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, die Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri I.anka would focus on sharing their experiences in tackling terrorism and strengthening cooperation in various issues regarding law enforcement.

Proposing to work out a road mop for greater.,cooperation to. jRhre peace in the area, Jaiswal saKnaw and order in the region was taking newer hues with criminals using latest technologies to access databaseoftheirtargets.

The challenges the police forces of the region encounter have changed substantially in recent years and the revolution in technology and communication has altered the law and order scenario substantially, he added.

Nowadays, the modus operand! of the criminals is based more on technology, Jaiswal said adding the police tactics must, therefore, keep up with thechanges.

The conference would provide a window of opportunity for the Saarc countries to consolidate their gains in regional cooperation and to forge a blueprint for exchanging resources -• both human and material, the state minister for homesaid.

The conference, also being attended by officials of home and foreign ministries, will discuss the modalities of organising joint training programmes and discuss strategies to improve mutual coordination in tackling terrorist activities, drug trafficking and organised crimes.