New Delhi expresses its readiness to explore a meaningful relationship with Islamabad if it seriously addresses the threat of terrorism and stops terror acts against India. Government’s approach on the issue was articulated by the President Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil while addressing the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in the historic Central hall of the Parliament. This assumes significance in the wake of India-Pakistan Foreign Secretary level talks on Thursday. India is expected to take up the issue of terrorism during the talks. Mrs. Patil said that the infiltration level in Jammu and Kashmir has gone up but the situation has improved. She said Left-wing extremism continues to be a serious cause of concern.<br/><br/> The President, who is also the Supreme Commander of armed Forces, said that government is committed to their modernization. She said the Navy plans to have Admiral Gorshkov Aircraft carrier by 2012. It is facing delay due to construction of second line of diesel powered sub marines. Mrs. Patil said Indian Air Force is awaiting a decision on the 126th Medium Multirole combat Air Craft which likely to be inducted by 2012.<br/><br/> Referring to the government strategy to deal with the concerns of the common man, she said a series of measures have been taken to deal with it. The President said government is committed to bringing forth a legislation to ensure food security. The President said import regime for essential commodities has been liberalized. 30 lakh tones of wheat and rice have been released in the open market besides seven lakh tones of wheat and rice through various government marketing agencies. Mrs. Patil said that state governments have been asked to take effective action against hoarders and black marketers and make appropriate use of state agencies for procurement of non PDS food articles in bulk. A core group consisting of senior ministers and some state chief ministers has also been constituted to examine a wide range of concerned policy issues.<br/><br/> She said that economic growth which had slowed to 6.7 per cent in 2008-09 is likely to improve to around 7.5 per cent in 2009-10 and may clock over 8 per cent in the next fiscal and touch 9 per cent in 2011-12. Forwarding the inclusive development agenda, the President said it is imperative that as the economy grows apace, the disadvantaged sections of society be made part of the Indian success story. For maintaining communal amity, Mrs. Patil said government is keen early passage of Communal Violence prevention, control and rehabilitation bill. A proposal to amend the Waqf Act will also be brought in the current session of Parliament.<br/><br/> Talking about the Women’s reservation bill, Mrs. Patil urged members to accord special attention to this proposal. She expressed hope that two bills for constitutional amendments to provide 50 per cent reservation for women in Panchayats and urban local bodies will be passed in the current session.<br/><br/> Mrs. Patil announced that a new scheme for rural LPG distribution, Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vitarak has also been launched to provide access to poor families to gas and other petro products. She said government has prepared a comprehensive roadmap for the development of minorities. Recruitment of the posts has gone up in two years by two per cent till 2008-09.<br/><br/> Mrs. Patil also said, a National Council for Higher Education and Research is being launched soon to regulate higher education and research in the country. The President said the government is at work to bring an appropriate legislation for facilitating the participation of globally renowned and quality academic institutions in the higher education sector. Mrs. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil said that Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the Midday Meal Programme have made substantial progress with increased investment in primary education sector. Mrs. Patil said Right to Children to free and compulsory education Act will be effective from 1st of April this year.<br/><br/> The President said that the government is committed to substantially expand the capacity of railways along with speed of passenger and freight trains. Mrs. Patil said a special North East rail development fund has been created to provide funding for 9 national rail projects in the region. Work on dedicated freight corridors on the eastern and western trunk routes has also commenced. The President said government is also negotiating a tax treaty with Switzerland to unearth unaccounted money parked out side India. Talking about the foreign policy initiatives, Mrs. Patil said India's views on global challenges like terrorism, energy and food security, climate change and international financial reforms were unambiguously articulated. She said relations with United States have been consolidated and the ties with Russia have renewed the time tested friendship between the two countries and opened up new areas of cooperation. The ties with Europe have also been consolidated and strategic and cooperative partnership with China has progressed well.<br/><br/> Referring to other neighboring countries, she said the visits of King and Prime Minister of Bhutan, Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Maldivies and President of Nepal have given new impetus to the traditional ties of friendship with them. Talking about the ethnic situation in Sri Lanka, Mrs. Patil said India will contribute to the humanitarian and rehabilitation efforts for Tamil minorities there and will take long turn in reconstruction in conflict affected areas. Our Parliamentary Correspondent reports that during her 45 minutes speech in Hindi, Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil also referred in detail about various flagship schemes and their impacts on the common man, besides the initiatives taken by the government to address the issue of climate change and strengthening the security set up. Excerpts of her speech were read by the Vice President Mohd Hamid Ansari in English.