President focuses on cooperation in South Asia

The government has pursued a policy of achieving socio-economic development and national security by promoting peace and regional cooperation in South Asia, President Pratibha Patil said Monday.

“My government remains firmly committed to the success of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). We wish to see all nations in South Asia prosper and enjoy stability,” said the president while addressing the joint session of parliament on the opening day of the budget session.

She said the process received significant impetus from the visits of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Afghanistan, Bangladesh and the Maldives and the visits of the president of Myanmar, the king of Bhutan, the president of Afghanistan and the prime minister of Nepal to India.

Stating that “our partnerships with the major world powers continue to develop”, she said “the United States is a valued strategic partner”.

India’s strategic partnership with Russia was further strengthened during prime minister’s visit to Russia last year, she said and added that India attaches high priority to the development of strategic and cooperative partnership with China.

She spoke about the protocol on the land boundary agreement between India and Bangladesh and steps for resettlement and rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons in Sri Lanka.

The president said the government is committed to resolving all outstanding issues with Pakistan through dialogue while stressing it takes action against terror groups.

“We look forward to building upon the progress made so far mindful of the need for Pakistan to take credible action against terrorist groups and the related infrastructure on its soil,” she said.

She noted that India’s ‘Look East’ policy has resulted in a significantly deeper engagement with countries of East Asia and South-East Asia.

The president added that India has a vital stake in the peace, stability and progress of the countries of West Asia and North Africa.

“Over six million Indians live and work in the Gulf region. We would like the people of the region to chart their own pathways to nation building and development at this historic time of transition and change,” she said.

Mentioning India’s traditional relationship with Africa, she said India’s ambitious Pan African e-Network project has been commissioned in 47 out of 54 countries in the African continent.