Delhi has been chosen as the World Book Capital for 2003-04 by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in association with the International Publishers Association.
"The Indian capital is the third city after Madrid and Alexandria to have been accorded the World Book Capital status by UNESCO," said IPA president Pere Vicens at the inauguration of the 9th Delhi Book Fair.
The honour acknowledges the potential of India as a book reading nation, he said adding it underlined its growing importance in making the Asia Pacific region a book reading society.
IPA was founded in 1886 and represents the publishing industry worldwide through 78 national, regional and specialised publishers' associations in 66 countries. Based in Geneva, it is an accredited NGO, which enjoys a consultative status to the UN.