Kathmandu, Nov. 26 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that India will provide immediate medical visas for people coming for treatment, and visas for longer periods to businessmen.

Addressing the 18th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation here, Modi identified health as a major sector for cooperation among the member countries.

He said that India will support monitoring and surveillance of polio-free countries, and provide vaccines where it might reappear.

”India will meet the shortfall in funds to establish the Saarc Regional Supra Reference Laboratory for TB and HIV. We offer the five-in-one vaccine for the children of South Asia,” he said.

Seeking better environment for trade among the Saarc nations, Modi said, “India will now give business visa for 3-5 years for Saarc. Let's make it even easier for our businesses through a Saarc Business Traveller Card.”

Modi said information technology has removed all barriers to quality education and India was prepared to connect the South Asian students through online course and E-libraries.

”The dream of a South Asian University has become a reality in New Delhi. But, to be truly South Asian, it must also have partnerships with at least one university in each Saarc country,” he said.

Modi also sought concerted efforts to combat terrorism and trans-national crimes that were identified as a major challenge by most of the Saarc leaders at the bloc's summit here.

”We feel the endless pain of lost lives. Let us work together to fulfil the pledge we have taken to combat terrorism and trans-national crimes,” the Prime Minister said, remembering the victims of the Mumbai terror attacks that left 166 people dead and hundreds of others injured.