Address to Heads of Missions by Prime Minister

In his inaugural address to the Heads of Missions today at Vigyan Bhawan, the Prime Minister observed that foreign policy was basically aimed at pursuing India’s national interests. Indian diplomats were facilitating the creation of an international environment that was conducive to India’s progress, development and attainment of its external goals.

Outlining his vision of India, the Prime Minister said that the foremost national goal was to remove poverty and accelerate the pace of economic development. We were building modern infrastructure which would stand up to the challenge of a fast moving economy. The nation was also focusing on human resource development, as it was the quality of human resources that determined the standing of a country in the comity of nations. By the same token, Science and technology was a major factor of power and wealth of a nation. India had to have the ability to master technology, he emphasized.

The Prime Minister remarked that India was among the fastest growing economies in the world, which despite the global melt down in 2008-09, had returned to a growth path of 8.5%. Energy availability was critical to attaining a 9-10% growth rate, as 1% growth needed 0.8% increase in energy availability. Foreign policy had a very important role in securing India’s energy needs.

Reflecting on the international environment PM noted that we were living today in an increasingly inter-dependent world. India needed an open trading system and wanted to emerge as a major trading nation in the world. G20 had become a key forum for discussing and shaping international economic and financial policies. Foreign policy had also to pay more attention to functioning of G20.

India sought a peaceful and tranquil international environment, as well as, very good relations with all countries, especially with our neighbours and major powers. Foreign policy should also be oriented towards East and South East Asia which were poised for a sustained growth rate in the 21st century. He remarked that India, by and large had good relations with her neighbours. We were engaging them without looking at reciprocity, in our own enlightened interest.