Speaking at the inaugural session of a gathering of diplomatic correspondents from Saarc countries on Monday, he said India has a vision of an "interconnected" region.

"The major issue for us is to maintain good relations with our neighbours like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka," he told the journalists attending a weeklong course titled 'Third Diplomatic Correspondents Programme'.

The programme was jointly organised by the External Publicity Division of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the Foreign Service Institute in New Delhi.

One journalist from each country Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Afghanisthan are participating in the course.

"We have a vision for an interconnected South Asia," said Saran, adding, " Although we haven't been able to get back to the pre-1947 level [of interconnectedness]. India is in a position to contribute to greater integration of the region."

While Saran stressed the need to bring South Asia together for greater integration and prosperity, India's invitation to attend the programme was turned down by journalists in Pakistan, according to officials here.

"For the vision we have for South Asia [to materialise], the talks between India and Pakistan should resume," he said.

"But, there is a shadow of terrorism," he added.

Saran offered fellow South Asian countries to benefit from India's booming economy which could enhance "regional integration."

"Centre of gravity on development and global economic growth is shifting to Asia (from the West)," he said.

"Unless we are fully integrated, how can we be a part of it? We need to be a part and parcel [of this global trend]," Saran added.