The Hindu : National : Spirit of friendship to guide India at SAARC summit

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 22, 2004

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National

Spirit of friendship to guide India at SAARC summit

By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI, DEC. 21. India will approach the forthcoming South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Dhaka in a spirit of friendship, while looking for practical and mutually acceptable solutions to problems in the region, said the External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh, today during a meeting of the parliamentary consultative committee attached to his Ministry. The Ministry spokesman said the meeting focussed on India's relationship with its SAARC neighbours and Myanmar.

Reservoir of goodwill

Referring to relations with Pakistan, Mr. Singh said New Delhi wanted to engage itself in a sustained and comprehensive dialogue with Islamabad. He said the atmosphere between the two nations had improved and the intention was to keep it that way.

Mr. Singh said there was a reservoir of goodwill between the people of India and Pakistan. Briefing members of the panel on the state of the composite dialogue between the two countries, he said India wanted to promote people-to-people contact with Pakistan.

On ties with Bangladesh, Mr. Singh said there had been regular meetings with Ministers from Bangladesh. India's security concerns had also been raised with Dhaka, he told the MPs.

India's relationship with Sri Lanka was a model for economic ties in the region, Mr. Singh said. Referring to the massive increase in trade since the two countries signed a free trade agreement, the External Affairs Minister said India was Sri Lanka's largest source for foreign direct investment today.

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