India has tense relationship with Pakistan: PM

New Delhi, Dec 19 (PTI) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh Monday said India has a tense relationship with Pakistan
and friendly ties with it are possible only when that country
ensures that its territory is not used for terror activities
against India.
He also said that India hopes to resolve in an
atmosphere of friendship all outstanding issues with China.
While noting that India desires good relationship
with neighbours, which are beneficial to all countries of the
region, Singh said, "We have had a tense relationship with
Pakistan. However we wish them well.
"We want friendly relations with Pakistan. But we know
this will be possible only when our neighbour will see to it
that its territory is not used for terrorist activities
against us," he said addressing the Congress Plenary here.
Referring to Sino-Indian ties, he said, "We believe
that there is a great potential for working together with
China, especially in economic matters.We have some outstanding
issues with them which we hope to resolve in an atmosphere of
friendship".
The Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction that
the leaders of all the five permanent member countries of the
United Nations would have visited the country by the end of
this year.
His remark assumes significance in wake of India,
which is right now a non-permanent member of the United
Nations Security Council (UNSC), eyeing a permanent seat
there along with other five members USA, China, Russia, Japan
and the UK.
The Prime Minister said, "Our ties with Russia have
traditionally been friendly and warm. We are confident that
our relationships with them will continue to be excellent in
future also. We are improving our relationship with the United
States and other major western powers.
On India's Look East Policy, the Prime Minister said
the country has paid special attention to its relations with
East Asian and South Asian countries.
"We have either finalised or are in the process of
finalising economic cooperation agreements with a number of
East Asian and South Asian countries. Our relations with the
Gulf and African countries have always been excellent and we
will seek to consolidate these ties," he said.
The Prime Minister said that the country is today
being looked upon in the world with respect and admiration."In
the days to come, we will become even more important on the
global stage.
"We will increasingly have to work with the
international community in many areas," the Prime Minister
said, adding, "Simultaneously we will have to remain faithful
to our own principles also".
Singh said the purpose of the country’s foreign
policy is to work in peaceful environment with other nations
for the benefit of India as well as the world community.PTI