No shift in foreign policy: PM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Asserting that the UPA government had not deviated from India’s basic foreign policy objectives, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the country is only seeking to widen the horizon of its international role while trying to improve ties with neighbours, including Pakistan, despite the problem of terrorism.

Dismissing the impression that efforts to improve ties with big powers like the US marked a radical policy shift, Mr Singh said the basic objectives remained unchanged while there was some change in flexibility of tactics as needed by the times. “We are trying to develop friendly ties with Pakistan despite difficulties arising out of their support for terrorist operations directed against India,” Mr Singh told a Congress party convention at the Kerala PCC headquarters here on Wednesday.

India wanted the goodwill and cooperation of big powers like the US, Russia and China. But this would not mean there was a shift from the basic policies followed since the days of Jawaharlal Nehru. “Sometimes, confusion is sought to be created that there has been a change in foreign policy. In terms of our basic objectives, there is no change,” he said.

Talking about the UPA coalition’s support to Left-ruled Kerala on a different occasion, the PM said the Centre would assist the state in further improving connectivity to create first-rate infrastructure. “If India’s growth has not to be constrained, if we need more trade and travel, if we need our people to go far-out lands and if we want visitors from all corners of the world to come here, we need first-rate infrastructure,” Mr Singh said after laying the foundation stone for the construction of a new international airport terminal and Air-India’s aircraft maintenance base here.

Promising all assistance for the ailing agriculture and plantation sectors in Kerala, he said modern science and technology should be effectively used to improve productivity in the plantation sector.

Mr Singh said a new dynamism had been found in the civil aviation in all spheres, including construction and modernisation of airports and establishment of new airlines.

“Apart from building this new terminal, the government will also assist the state in its plans for developing better connectivity. I’m also happy to learn that Air-India is developing a maintenance base here at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore. This will generate new employment opportunities for the people of the state,” the PM said.

Commending Kerala for its development of tourism economy, he said the Centre would help the state’s plans to develop airport infrastructure. Though Kerala had been a symbol of human development, it lagged its neighbours in the development of industries and knowledge economy, Mr Singh pointed out. “Kerala has the potential to take a great leap forward. I hope, the political, business, social and intellectual leadership will come together and help the state make that leap,” Mr Singh exhorted the gathering.

Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandan, Union defence minister AK Antony, Overseas Indian Affairs minister Vayalar Ravi and Union minister of state for civil aviation Praful Patel were among those present on the occasion.