UNI

Well-being of all neighbours in India's interests: PM

Rajiv Nagar, Hyderabad: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that  the well-being of Pakistan and all other neighbours was in India's interests but declared his government's determination, to defeat terrorism, with all the forces at its command.

''We are pursuing a composite dialogue with Pakistan with the understanding that in South Asia, we have not just a shared past, but a shared future and a shared destiny. The development and well-being of all our neighbours is in our interests,'' he said, addressing the 82nd AICC Plenary here.

Noting that the UPA Government had taken important steps to make the world adopt a more friendly approach towards India, Dr Singh said "we have been able to improve our relations with many of our neighbours, including our biggest neighbour China." He said the government had taken major initiatives to integrate the country's economy with that of East Asia, South East Asia, South Asia and West Asia. ''The countries to our East have once again embraced us and invited us into a new Asian Community.'' He said the Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz would visit India later this week for the first time in 50 years. ''We have also improved our relations with all major powers, especially the United States, European Union, Russia and Japan. In the next few weeks, I will be receiving the Presidents of France and the United States.'' The Prime Minister said India was reaching out to its friends in the comity of nations to make the world a safer place to live in.

''We will work with all like-minded nations in the fight against terrorism and in the struggle for a more humane and equitable world order.'' He said no one could question the Congress party's patriotism or its commitment to the national interest. ''Our foreign policy has always been based on the defence of our national interest and the welfare and well-being of our people.''

*******