New Delhi, July 31 : Emphasizing the need for a "collective action" among the SAARC countries to tackle the menace, External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Navtej Sarna today said that the Kabul attack “underlines how vulnerable” South Asia is as far as terrorism is concerned.

He also said that there is a need to have crime free atmosphere to ensure growth.

Referring to the proposed agreement for the SAARC Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters he said it would be effective in dealing with crimes in the region.

India has been keen for having such a legal mechanism for effectively dealing with the menace as.

A discussion on having regional framework for cooperation to combat terrorism would be high on the agenda in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
(SAARC) summit which is beginning in Colombo on Saturday.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would reach Colombo on Friday to attend the two-day summit.

The SAARC meet will discuss how to deal with the terrorism which is affecting some of the eight member countries, particularly India, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives and Bhutan are also the member of the SAARC. (ANI)