New Delhi, March 9:

India yesterday agreed to expand inter-state railway services linking Asia with Europe.

A press release issued by the Union Communications Ministry today stated that the cabinet meeting under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh made the decision in this regard.

Earlier, the Nepal government had given its consent. 18 nations would join hands to build railway network in this intra-border project. UNESCO in its 62nd inter-governmental meeting on 12 April had decided to launch this ambitious project.

“This railway network would be significant for promoting trade and tourism in the region,” Indian Union Communications Minister Priyaranjandas Munsi said after the cabinet meeting.

Eighteen nations, including Nepal, Russia, China, Iran, Korea, Mongolia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Armenia, Cambodia, have given their consent for construction of the railway network. End of 2008 is the deadline for receiving the agreements on the plan.