Siliguri: South Africa's Deputy Minister for Tourism Rejoice T Mabudafhasi expressed her eagerness to increase air links between South Africa and India.

Replying to a civic reception organised by Siliguri Municipal Corporation at Siliguri on September 23, Mabudafhasi said that additional air links between the two countries would boost tourism potential of both the developing countries.

The minister said she would soon moot formal proposals to the appropriate authorities in this regard.

Deliberating on the outcome of recently held earth summit at Johannesburg on sustainable development, Mabudafhasi said that the success of summit would depend on proper implementation of the resolutions.

She alleged that the developed countries had failed to implement the resolutions of the earlier summit at Rio about their commitment towards safety of environment and narrowing the divide between the rich and poor.

West Bengal Minister for Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Asok Bhattacharya, vice-chancellor of North Bengal University Prof P D Sha and the mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation Prof Bikash Ghose were present at the civic reception.

PTI