In the field of International Cooperation this Ministry is engaged in perusing co-operation programme with various countries in the geology and mineral resources sector. The key objective is to strengthen the areas of bilateral co-operation with countries where bilateral understanding/agreements already exist, and also to explore the possibility to enter into fresh agreements with countries which are technologically advanced, and to whom India can offer assistance in developing the mineral resources of such countries. Concerted and continued efforts were made to project mining sector of India as an attractive investment destination in various international fora for attracting foreign direct investment and facilitating inflow of state-of-the-art technologies. Another objective has been that with an expanding economy India is in increasing need of mineral resources. International interaction also facilitates Indian mining companies to bid and acquire various mining projects as and when floated by mineral rich countries. International co-operation continued to be a thrust area in the Ministry of Mines during the year 2011-12.