Neighbours prosperity in Indias interest: PM

Addressing the Indian Heads of Missions Conference on Tuesday,Prime Minister Manmohan Singh emphasised the importance of India constructively engaging her neighbours and resolving differences through peaceful means and negotiations.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs MEA,the Prime Minister highlighted the fact that India has been a victim of terrorism and it was essential that global terrorism is tackled with full vigour and resolve to ensure the continuing advancement of the country. India has a stake in the prosperity and stability of all our South Asian neighbours. We should strive to engage our neighbours constructively and resolve differences through peaceful means and negotiations, he told the various heads of Indian missions.

Outlining the priorities of global engagement,the Prime Minister emphasised the integral link between Indias foreign and domestic policies,particularly its economic policy.

He noted that the countrys foreign policy should aim at addressing the challenges of mass poverty,ignorance and disease in the country,which were the primary concern of the Indian state. He stated that the Indian economy was still the second fastest growing economy in the world despite the global economic slowdown,but all-out efforts were needed to put the economy back on a sustained high rate of growth if the challenges of poverty and disease were to be effectively addressed.