In the global context, we also believe firmly in the increasing interdependence of nations, particularly in the task of finding urgent solutions to some of the grave economic problems facing us, including those of inflation, imbalances and inequalities. We believe that there is an increasing awareness everywhere that no country, however great or powerful, can afford to regard a problem anywhere as being of no concern to it.

We have devoted our special attention to amity and cooperation in our region; we have made special efforts and taken various initiatives to strengthen our relations with all countries of the region, particularly our neighbours. It is only through friendship & cooperation, on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual benefit, that we can help each other to build regional peace and stability, and thus contribute to the relaxation of tensions around the world. We have, I think, achieved a substantial measure of success in strengthening our relations with many countries in the region on the basis of these principles. We have settled with them some of the problems which had defied solutions for generations. I need hardly mention that our attitude to Pakistan too is guided by the same devotion to good neighbourly relations and willingness to settle all problem bilaterally and peacefully.

We attach paramount importance to promoting understanding and developing and strengthening bilateral cooperation in the political as well as economic and cultural fields. As I have said the conduct of our foreign policy has been directed at this objective bilaterally, regionally and globally, the objective of building bridges of friendship, cooperation and understanding.