Myanmar, Bangladesh and some east African nations, however, have lagged behind India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives in their investments in public education, Jegillos said.

CNN: Asian tsunami warning system: A last-mile challenge

He said messages of condolence have been sent to India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

CNN: World reacts to tsunami disaster

Of the eight member countries, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives come under the Least Developed Countries bloc while India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are in the Developing Country group.

BBC: South Asian bloc active at climate meeting

Land owned by Sri Lanka and India were possibilities because the countries have similar cultures, cuisine and climate as the Maldives.

CNN: Cabinet in drowning Maldives to meet underwater

Cigen, its Hong Kong-registered hospitality arm, is a partner in Taj Asia, part of India's Taj hotel chain, a Tata affiliate that runs luxury resorts in the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

FORBES: Magazine Article

And in South Asia, around India, we endeavor to contain Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistani-based extremist organization that threatens India, attacked Mumbai, and we find ourselves working with partners in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Maldives to build their capacities to deal with this organization independently.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing with Ben Rhodes and Admiral Robert Willard