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Prez's priority to love thy neighbour
Giving "highest priority" to close relations with its neighbours, the new government will pursue closer political and economic ties with its South Asian neighbours and to strengthening the SAARC.
Giving "highest priority" to close relations with its neighbours, the new government will pursue dialogue with Pakistan on all outstanding issues on a "sustained" basis within the framework of the Simla Agreement and all susbequent accords.
The accords include the latest joint statement of January 6, 2004, President A P J Abdul Kalam today said addressing the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament outlining the broad contours of the Congress-led coalition government's foreign policy.
He said the government will give the "highest priority" to building closer political, economic, and other ties with its neighbours in South Asia and to strengthening the SAARC.
While most parts of his address is a virtual reproduction of what has been enunciated in the foreign policy chapter of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the ruling alliance, there have been some changes and elaboration.
On relations with Pakistan, the CMP had said that dialogue with it on all issues will be pursued "systematically and on a sustained basis".
Kalam, in his address, said "dialogue with Pakistan on all outstanding issues will be pursued on a sustained basis within the framework of the Simla Agreement and all subsequent agreements between the two Governments, including the Joint Statement of January six, 2004".
On Iraq, Kalam said India welcomed moves for an early restoration of sovereignty to the people of Iraq. "We note with satisfaction the UN involvement in this process," he said.
The CMP had said steps will be taken to withdraw Indian mercenaries from Iraq while further recruitment for this purpose will be banned.
Observing that traditional ties with the countries of West Asia will be given a "fresh thrust", he said "My Government will continue to fully support the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people".
On relations with Israel which have developed on the basis of mutually beneficial cooperation, Kalam said "this in no way dilutes our principled support for the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people".
Emphasising that India will pursue an independent foreign policy on all regional and global issues keeping in view its national interests, he said "We have to re-orient the role of Non Alignment in a post-Cold War, globalising world. My Government is committed to fostering multipolarity in the world political and economic system."
On the Sino-India front, Kalam said trade and investment with China would be expanded further and talks on the boundary question pursued purposively.
"India will also expand political and security exchanges with China to ensure regional security," the President said.
Attaching "high importance" to India's relations with the United States, he said the Government would pursue a "closer strategic and economic engagement" with Washington, the European Union and Japan.
The Russian Federation, he said, remained an important entity in India's foreign policy orientation, given the long-standing and multi-dimensional convergence of interest and resultant strategic partnership between New Delhi and Moscow.
On ties with Sri Lanka, Kalam said Congress-led Government would support the peace initiative in that country that fulfils requirements of all section of the people there for a life full of dignity and self-respect and meets the legitimate aspirations of all linguistic and religious minorities, while respecting territorial integrity and solidarity of the island nation.
"My Government shall seeek to resolve oustanding issues with Bangladesh and strengthen our relations with this important neighbour. It will continue to attach great importance to our close and vibrant partnerships with Bhutan, Nepal and Maldives," he said.
Referring to Afghanistan, he said India's traditional friendship with Kabul has been revived under the Government of President Hamid Karzai.
Kalam said the Government has developed a multi-faceted cooperation with Myanmar, Iran and all countries of Central Asia.
The ties with 10-member ASEAN collectively, and with the countries of that region individually, would be intensified, the President said.
Observing that it would be building close ties with neighbours in South Asia, Kalam said particular attention would be paid to regional projects relating to water resources, power and ecological conservation.
