India too large a country to be boxed into any alliance: PM

PM-LD ECONOMY

New Delhi, Sep 13 (PTI) Asserting that India's "strategic
autonomy" would not be compromised while seeking healthy ties
with major powers, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday
said it is too large a country to be "boxed" into any alliance
or regional arrangements.
Addressing top Commanders of Defence services here, he
observed that India's "toughest challenges" lie in its
neighbourhood and the country's growth ambitions cannot be
realised unless peace and stability is ensured in South Asia.
While underlining the need to maintain "healthy
relations" with all major powers, Singh however made it clear
the country's strategic autonomy would be preserved as it is
an "article of faith for us".
India, he said, is "too large a country to be boxed into
any alliance or regional or sub-regional arrangements, whether
trade, economic or political."
Singh said as India's economy grows, the technological
capabilities must expand to set higher standards for the
modernisation of defence forces and "war fighting doctrines"
should be updated to meet "new threats" to the country's
security.
"In the ultimate analysis, the strength of a nation flows
from the strength of its institutions, its values and its
economic competitiveness," the Prime Minister said.
"If we are to sustain a growth rate of 9 to 10 per cent
in the forseeable future, we require foreign capital inflow,
both portfolio and direct investment, the best of modern
technology and access to markets of the advanced economies,"
he said.
In global terms, the Prime Minister said, there was
a shift of economic and political power to Asia, with the
Asia-Pacific region, including the South East Asia needing
more attention from India.
"This must seep into our defence and foreign policy
planning as never before. This is a palpable desire on the
part of the countries of this region to enhance cooperation
with us which we must reciprocate," he added.
Describing the nations of the Gulf region, West and
Central Asia as "natural partners", he said India had tangible
interests in these regions, among which energy security was
most important.
"We have to ensure adequate availability of commercial
energy to support our growth targets. This requires not only
diversification of the sources of our energy imports but also
widening of our overall energy mix. It is in this context that
we need to operationalise our nuclear energy option, which
holds great promise and is a necessity," he added.
Referring to the global economic crisis of 2008, Singh
said India had weathered it better than most large economies,
as there was a continental sized economy and large internal
market. But the challenge, he said, would be to ensure that
growth was balanced across all regions and reached all
sections of society. PTI NCB
RDM


The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive use of the addressee(s) and may contain
proprietary, confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify
the sender immediately and destroy all copies of this message and any attachments
contained in it.


Delete & Prev | Delete & Next