Indian foreign policy combines commitment to national values with dynamic adaptation to intl. environment

NEW DELHI - The United Progressive Alliance Government on Tuesday stated that India’s foreign policy has combined firm commitment to country’s core national values with dynamic adaptation to changes in the international environment.

Mentioning about Govt.’s initiatives for Overseas Indians undertaken in the last one year, the executive summary of the UPA-II’s “Report to the People” stated:

“The UPA government, in its second term, pursues its foreign policy objectives which are closely integrated with the country’s fundamental security and development priorities. India’s foreign policy aims at a global order in which India’s overriding goals of rapid, sustained and inclusive socio-economic development and poverty alleviation are attained rapidly without any hindrance.

To this end, India’s foreign policy has combined firm commitment to our core national values with dynamic adaptation to changes in the international environment. As a corollary to these objectives, India is committed to close and good neighbourly relations with all countries in its immediate and extended neighbourhood.”

The report states that India’s commitment to its immediate neighbourhood has revitalised SAARC with the implementation of a number of regional and sub-regional projects focused primarily on development.

“New initiatives have included the setting up of the SAARC Development Fund, establishment of the SAARC Food Bank, implementation of regional projects in telemedicine, tele-education and agriculture and conclusion of the SAARC Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters,” it added.

The report states that India continued to press for reform of the United Nations, in particular, through expansion of its Security Council to make it more democratic and representative.

“India continued to play a lead role in the Non-Aligned Movement to maintain the movement’s relevance and strengthen its voice on international issues,” it says.

The Government in its report card has stated that: “India has remained actively engaged in the multilateral negotiations on climate change to build a rule-based, transparent and equitable climate change regime that safeguards the interests of the developing countries and supports their endeavour for poverty alleviation and sustainable economic development.” (ANI)