Taking a decisive step on the theme of connectivity of ideas, the eight SAARC countries on Wednesday agreed to set up a South Asian University in India.

In a joint declaration issued at the end of the summit, the leaders welcomed the signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement establishing the University.

The leaders also said that the Intergovernmental Steering Committee be set up at the earliest to complete its tasks relating to the Charter, byelaws, rules and regulations, curriculum development, business plans and other issues.

They also decided to strengthen cooperation and dialogue on educational matters through development of exchanges between academics, experts, policy makers, students and teachers.