Ambassadors told to continue emphasis on security, economic prosperity
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday asked Indian ambassadors to facilitate trade and access to rare natural resources.
Addressing about 120 envoys at the fourth conference of Indian Heads of Mission here, Dr. Singh said the other imperatives had not changed but for foreign policy to effectively serve domestic growth needs, efforts must be equally geared toward finding economic opportunities in trade and financial flows and assisting the search for privileged access to critical or rare natural resources — these could be sources of energy or other minerals vital for modern industries.
At the same time, the Prime Minister wanted diplomats to continue with their emphasis on security against external threats, economic prosperity and sharing in global public goods. While these remain the central impulses, a dynamic environment demands constant fine-tuning of the instruments of policy.
“We must also not remain content with making the best of a difficult external environment, but instead attempt to actively shape a favourable external environment for India.”
Turning to the immediate neighbourhood, a topic that was dealt with in detail by External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, Dr. Singh said India’s priority was greater connectivity in South Asia so that “India’s growth provides the engine of progress for our neighbours.”
Mr. Krishna described the immediate neighbourhood as of paramount importance for India’s national interests and outlined the recent initiatives to enhance interaction.
“Shape a favourable external environment for India” “India’s priority is greater connectivity in South Asia”
