New Delhi : President Pranab Mukherjee said Monday the government has reinvigorated India’s relations with its neighbours, and at the same time was fully prepared to defend the borders.
In his address to the joint session of parliament at the beginning of the budget session, Mukherjee said India will continue to work with others to reform multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, and seek India’s rightful place there.
“Recognising that our destiny is linked with our neighbourhood, my government has reinvigorated our relations with our neighbours and is promoting greater cooperation and integration in South Asia. At the same time, we speak clearly about our interests and are fully prepared to defend our borders and secure our people,” he said.
The president said ties with China had expanded following the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to India. “We have significantly expanded our relations with China, based on mutual respect and sensitivity to each other’s concerns and interests,” he said.
Mukherjee said the government has “restored confidence and momentum” in India’s time-tested strategic partnership with Russia.
“The historic visit of US President Barack Obama as the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations has elevated our relations with the US to a new level. In coming months, we intend to further deepen our cooperation with Europe,” he said.
The president said that a deeper political, economic and security relationship with Japan was at the forefront of a more active and purposeful Act-East-Policy, which was anchored in India’s relations with southeast Asia and now extends to Australia and the pacific Islands.
He said India was also committed to deeper engagement with west Asia, central Asia, Africa and South America.
The president said that the UN took a historic decision to declare June 21 as ‘International Yoga Day’ within 75 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call at the United Nations General Assembly.
He said the Indian community abroad feels more connected to the country and has responded enthusiastically to the call to participate in India’s transformation, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, whose 100th anniversary of return to India was commemorated this year.