NEW DELHI, 25 June 2004 — India’s new Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spelt out his government’s priorities in his first address to the nation yesterday promising a “new deal” for the rural poor and sincere efforts to resolve all disputes with Pakistan, including Kashmir.
Manmohan chose to speak on television after the opposition Hindu nationalists prevented him from addressing Parliament this month. The premier lashed out at his opponents for stopping “constructive dialogue.”
Manmohan, an Oxford-educated economist who opened India’s economy to the world as finance minister from 1991 to 1996, said his priority as the government drafts its budget due out July 8 would be to iron out economic disparities.
“Growth is not an end in itself,” Manmohan said. “It is a means to generate employment, banish poverty, hunger and homelessness and improve the standard of living of our people.”
Manmohan’s left-leaning coalition, known as the United Progressive Alliance, won an upset victory in April-May elections over the Hindu nationalist government, which had campaigned on the slogan “India Shining” highlighting growth of over eight percent. Manmohan said that while many Indians were benefiting from the global economy, “chronic poverty afflicts millions” who are “still plagued by illiteracy, disease, want, hunger and malnutrition”.
“The United Progressive Alliance is committed to giving a ‘new deal’ to rural India,” he said. “Agriculture must receive the priority attention it deserves. Public and private investment in agriculture has to be greatly increased.” He said the government, which is supported from the outside by the communists, would actively seek more affordable credit for farmers and try to streamline red tape that stifles the agricultural market.
On improving ties with Pakistan, Manmohan said his government would “actively pursue” dialogue with India’s historic rival. “We desire to live in a neighborhood of peace and prosperity,” he said. “We are sincere about discussing and resolving all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.”
Indian and Pakistani foreign secretaries are due to meet in New Delhi on Sunday to discuss bilateral disputes, carrying forward dialogue relaunched in January after a gap of nearly two years. The defeated Hindu nationalist government also opened talks this year with moderate separatists on the Indian side of Kashmir, where an uprising has raged since 1989.
Manmohan said his government was willing to talk with “all disaffected groups provided they shun the path of violence”. He welcomed warm ties with the United States but said India would work for a “multipolar world order which takes into account the legitimate aspirations of developing countries”.
“I must share our deep concern about the developments in Iraq and the suffering of the people of that country,” Manmohan said.
“It is our earnest hope that democracy would be restored and full sovereignty transferred to a truly representative government of Iraq. India is committed to participate in all endeavors aimed at bringing stability and to ensure the well-being of the Iraqi people.” India both before and after the election has turned down calls to contribute troops to Iraq.
