The Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh today said that India is engaging its neighbours without looking for reciprocal actions.Inaugurating the third conference of Heads of Missions in New Delhi, he said that Indian diplomats are facilitating the creation of an international environment that is conducive to India's progress, development and attainment of its external goals. Outlining his vision of India, the Prime Minister said that the foremost national goal was to remove poverty andaccelerate the pace of economic development.He underlined that science and technology was a major factor of power and wealth of a nation and India ought to have the ability to master technology. The Prime Minister noted that India was among the fastest growing economies in the world, which despite the globalmeltdown in 2008-09, had returned to a growth path of 8.5 per cent. He said energy availability was critical to attaining a 9-10 per cent growth rate. Highlighting the increasingly inter-dependent global environment, he said India needed an open trading system and wanted to emerge as a major trading nation in the world. Dr.Singh said that India sought a peaceful and tranquil international environment as well as very good relations with all countries, especially with neighbours and major powers. He said that Foreign policy should also be oriented towards East and South East Asia which were poised for a sustained growth rate in the 21st century,
News On AIR | August 27, 2010 8:47 PM
India engaging neighbours without looking for reciprocal actions : PM