NEW DELHI, 15 February 2006 — In an attempt to dispel criticism of India going overboard in strengthening relations with the United States at the cost of its traditional ties with Iran, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday affirmed India’s commitment to an “independent foreign policy.”
“We have worked hard to create the space needed to have the freedom to make policy choices in an increasing inter-dependent world,” the prime minister said.
Referring to India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s concept of nonalignment, Manmohan said: “Panditji’s idea of nonalignment was based on the principle that we were not aligned with anyone against anyone, but only with our values and national interests.” “The means we adopt to pursue our enduring objectives of peace, national security and development will, of course, change from time to time. They will have to be evolved in response to the changing reality of an ever-changing world,” he asserted.
Manmohan spoke during a ceremony involving the laying of the foundation stone for a new building complex called Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan for the External Affairs Ministry.
“While the instruments of our policy and the tactics and strategy we adopt may change with time, the values in which they are embedded are universal and will remain true for all time,” he said.
Outlining the basic parameters of the country’s foreign policy, Manmohan said: “The foreign policy we pursue must reflect our national priorities and concerns. There can’t be a disconnect between domestic capabilities, national aspirations and external policies. Our foreign policy must help create an international environment conducive to India’s social and economic development.”
Regarding regional diplomacy, Manmohan pointed out that the destiny of all countries of the region was interlinked. “Peace, prosperity and stability in South Asia is a top priority of our external policy.”
Taking note of “turbulence” in the region, he said India faced a turbulent neighborhood. “It is our foremost challenge to create a stable and cooperative atmosphere in our region that will allow us to concentrate our energies on tackling the problems at home and in our region.”
Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan is being constructed on an eight-acre plot in the heart of the capital, stretching from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate war memorial. Currently the external affairs ministry functions from five locations in New Delhi. All these offices will move into the new building when it is completed in September 2008. Being constructed by Central Public Works Department at a cost of around 1.76 billion rupees, the new complex will have modern facilities, including libraries and conference halls.
Among other leaders who attended the function were Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi, Ministers of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma and E. Ahamed, National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan, diplomats and bureaucrats.
