Embassy of India
Kuwait
-=-=-=-
A.K. CHANDEHOKE
First Secretary (Information)
23rd February 2006
Dear Friend,
The Hon’ble President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul
Kalam, addressed the Indian Parliament on 16th
February 2006. The speech of the President is
enclosed which you may like to circulate among the
members of your Association.
With regards,
Yours faithfully,
(A.K. Chandehoke)
Encl: As above
To,
President/Secretary of all Indian Associations
registered with the Embassy
Address by the President of India
at the opening of the
Budget session
of Parliament
(New
Delhi;
February
16, 2006)
Honourable Members,
1. My greetings to you all. It is with a sense of
optimism that we look forward to the New Year. A
nation of a billion people rising to its potential
is an exciting feeling. The feeling is palpable. It
is not merely the statistics of economic growth or
the enthusiasm that the world outside has shown for
the Indian opportunity that makes these times so
exciting. It is the fact that as a nation we have
collectively decided to sink the differences of the
past; that we have restored to our polity a sense of
healing; that we have restored to our society a
sense of inclusiveness; and that we have given our
economy a sense of purpose.
2. Our economy is on the move and our people are on
the march. After a period of none too exciting
growth of around 5.0 % per annum during 1999-2003,
the economy has bounced back, recording 7.5% growth
in 2004-05 and likely to cross 8.0% in 2005-06. This
is probably a precursor to better times to come in
the future. Equally importantly, the rate of
inflation has remained at modest levels despite a
sharp increase in global energy prices. For the
common man, for each of our families, the most
important economic variable is the price of
commodities. So it is a matter of immense
satisfaction that even in the face of an
unprecedented rise in global oil prices, the Indian
economy has performed exceedingly well. My
Government’s prudent and judicious management of the
economy has greatly helped in this. The renewed
optimism of the people, whose creative energies are
being unleashed, has also played its part. The
optimism is visible in the savings rate which is now
over 29% and the investment rate which is near 31%.
3. Confidence in India, in our democracy and in our
economy, has never been higher. We have been able to
restore the pluralistic ethos that is the essence of
India. We have been able to reverse a dangerous
trend of intolerance that had begun to eat into the
vitals of our nation and restore pluralism,
tolerance and compassion. We have been able to
replace debates that sought to divide the nation
with debates that matter to everyday living of the
people, debates on issues of concern to the aam
aadmi. It is heartening to see that there is active
discussion in government, media and civil society
about options for growth, poverty reduction,
education, health, employment, basic facilities,
infrastructure, empowering people and helping
marginalized and weaker sections catch up. Such
debates are the life-blood of our democracy. This
Government was voted to office to effect this
precise change. This has been accomplished. To
inspire a new generation of Indians to celebrate the
fruits of our freedom struggle, my Government is
drawing up impressive plans to celebrate the 150th
anniversary of the First War of Indian Independence
next year.
4. My government has been able to create a new
architecture of inclusive development built on the
foundation of five pillars. These are the National
Rural Employment Guarantee Act, a historic piece of
legislation to provide income security to the poor
and bridge the rural poverty gap; Bharat Nirman, a
time-bound plan to create better rural
infrastructure; the National Rural Health Mission,
to address gaps in basic health; the Jawaharlal
Nehru Mission for Urban Renewal, to ensure a
dynamic, visionary, inclusive and caring process of
urbanization; and, a strengthened Sarva Shiksha
Abhiyan with a universal mid-day meal programme.
5. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act marks
a new beginning in our country towards guaranteeing
the right to work. The Act, initially covering 200
less developed districts, holds revolutionary
potential to alter the rural economy by providing a
safety net to the poor. It will also enable creation
of assets. It is for the first time in the world
that a major employment programme is being
undertaken on such a scale and its progress would be
keenly watched by observers of development all over
the world. The Union, State and local governments
and Panchayati Raj Institutions need to work
together for the success of this programme. A major
people’s programme for water conservation will be
linked to this programme.
6. Bharat Nirman is a time-bound plan for providing
basic infrastructure in our rural areas. This
flagship programme of my Government will, by the
year 2009, seek to:
- Provide electricity connection to every village in
the country;
- Provide an all-weather road to every habitation of
over 1000 population and above, or 500 in hilly and
tribal areas;
- Provide every habitation a safe source of drinking
water;
- Provide every village a telephone connection;
- Create 1 crore hectares of additional irrigation
capacity;
- Construct 60 lakh houses for the rural poor.
Building on the on-going schemes and large
additional investments that are being channelised to
this effort, Bharat Nirman will impart a sense of
urgency to these goals by making the programme
time-bound, transparent and accountable. These
integrated investments in rural infrastructure will
unlock the growth potential of rural India and
Provide Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA).
7. A National Rural Health Mission has been launched
with the intention of providing universal basic
health care to our people. The Mission, based on
contextual, district level plans based on local
priorities, will enable health care delivery in a
manner which meets local needs. It will also link
action in health care with complementary efforts in
areas such as safe drinking water, sanitation and
nutrition. In addition to upgradation of all Primary
Health Centres, two community health centers in each
district will be improved in the first phase to a
level as defined through Indian Public Health
Standards.
8. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal
Mission is the single largest initiative since
independence for the development of our cities. The
Mission, covering 63 cities, will enable their
comprehensive development in the areas of urban
infrastructure and basic services to the urban poor,
linking new investment to governance reform. The
successful implementation of the Delhi Metro project
has generated demands for improved urban transport
in many other cities. Plans for a Mumbai Metro and a
Bangalore Metro are in the final stages of
consideration.
9. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan has been strengthened and
combined with a programme for universalisation of
the Mid-Day Meal programme, which now covers 12
crore children. These initiatives should have a
positive impact on the enrolment and attendance at
school and on the nutritional status of our
children.
10. My Government has taken several other steps in
the realm of education to widen access and ensure
excellence. The liberal funding of scholarships for
students hailing from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled
Tribe families, families of ex-servicemen and
minorities will help improve the educational status
of these disadvantaged groups. My Government has
sanctioned creation of over 1000 Kasturba Gandhi
Balika Vidyalayas in educationally backward blocks
of 21 States to provide free residential education
to underprivileged girls at the upper primary level.
Honourable Members,
11. My Government has given the highest priority to
the welfare of our farmers and to the development of
our rural economy. There has been a 60% increase in
credit to the agricultural sector. Long term
measures for the revival of cooperative credit
institutions, as recommended by the Vaidyanathan
Committee, are being implemented. The Central and
State Governments have arrived at a consensus on a
revival package for the Short Term Rural Cooperative
Credit Structure involving a financial package of
about Rs.14,000 crore, and linked to reforms in the
cooperative sector. A revival package for the Long
Term Cooperative Credit Structure is also being
studied. My Government is committed to having a
common market for agricultural produce so that
farmers get better farmgate prices. This is being
done by making warehouse receipts negotiable
instruments; amending the Essential Commodities Act;
working with states to amend local Agriculture
Produce Marketing Acts and expanding the food supply
and storage chain.
12. With a view to cover the risks involved in
agricultural operations, the scope and coverage of
the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme has been
expanded. My Government is committed to doing all
that is possible to protect the livelihoods of small
and marginal farmers. Considering the agro-climatic
variation and consequent advantage for production of
different types of fruits and vegetables in the
country, the Government is paying special attention
towards the development of horticulture. With this
objective, the Government has launched the National
Horticulture Mission during 2005-06 with a total
outlay of Rs. 2300 crore for the remaining period of
the Tenth Five Year Plan.
13. Better water management holds the key to
agricultural growth in the country. Water use
efficiency can be greatly improved through the
installation of drip, sprinkler and fertigation
systems. There is also a need to address the needs
of regions which are still dependent on rainfall. A
National Rainfed Area Authority is being established
which will look into all the dimensions of managing
water resources in these areas. In addition to the
one crore hectares being brought under irrigation
under Bharat Nirman, my government has also begun
work on elements of the interlinking of peninsular
rivers, beginning with work on two such links.
14. My Government is in the process of setting up of
a National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority which
will be the nodal authority for release, import and
post-release monitoring of GM crops and seeds. The
quality control of GM seeds is an important issue
and it is proposed to strengthen the State Seed
Testing Laboratories. To promote bio-fuel, a
National Bio-Diesel Programme is proposed to be
launched in 2006-07.
Honourable Members,
15. In order to accelerate economic growth,
investment in infrastructure is a necessity.
Government is committed to developing world-class
infrastructure to make our economy more competitive
and to make every citizen feel proud. While the
public sector will continue to play an important
role, it is necessary to create a policy and
regulatory environment that attracts long term
private investment in infrastructure. The Committee
on Infrastructure under the chairmanship of the
Prime Minister, is vigorously pursuing this
objective.
16. My Government has set up a Special Purpose
Vehicle called the India Infrastructure Finance
Corporation Limited to provide long term debt funds
to commercially viable projects in infrastructure
sectors. This will ensure that infrastructure
projects which may be rendered unviable due to long
gestation periods, are not ignored due to lack of
long term debt in the financial markets.
17. The National Highways Development Project is
being implemented as a national priority. The work
of four-laning of the Golden Quadrilateral is
nearing completion. An Action Plan for further
development of the national highways network
involving a total investment of Rs.1,75,000 crore
over the next seven years has been finalised. This
includes four laning of an additional 10,000
kilometers of national highways carrying high volume
of traffic, and six-laning of the Golden
Quadrilateral. A new Model Concession Agreement has
been approved by Government to facilitate
public-private partnership in roads.
18. My Government intends to create world class
airports in India. A comprehensive Civil Aviation
Policy is on the anvil. The process of modernisation
and expansion of the Delhi and Mumbai airports
through public-private partnership has already
commenced. Greenfield International Airports at
Bangalore and Hyderabad have been approved. Plans
are being made for the modernization and development
of Kolkata and Chennai airports. A comprehensive
plan for the planned development of other regional
airports is under finalisation.
19. Port infrastructure is critical to economic
growth. It is essential to attract massive private
investment for upgradation and modernisation of
ports. The programme for allocation of berths at
major Indian ports for construction through the
public-private partnership route is being expanded.
A Model Concession Agreement is being formulated for
this purpose.
20. Our Railways have once again become a source of
great pride with a perceptible improvement in their
performance. Government has decided to build two
dedicated high capacity freight corridors – the
Eastern Corridor from Ludhiana to Sonnagar and the
Western Corridor from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust to
Dadri - with an investment of over Rs.20,000 crores.
Preliminary work will commence on these projects
within one year. Keeping in view the increasing
demand for movement of cargo through containers, it
has been decided that this sector, which was the
monopoly of the public sector, will be thrown open
to competition and the private sector would be
eligible for running container trains.
21. My Government places special emphasis on
improving the power situation in the country. The
Dabhol Power Project is being revived and is
expected to start generating power this year. The
Ministry of Power is facilitating the setting up of
five Ultra Mega Power Projects with a capacity of
4000 MW each through tariff based competitive
bidding, three plants at coastal sites based on
imported coal and the remaining two at pit head
sites. More such power projects will be taken up to
bridge the demand-supply gap.
22. The telecommunications and information
technology revolution is one of the success stories
in our reform programme. Owing to the effect of
competition, telecom tariffs have continuously come
down, and today we have among the lowest tariffs in
the world. A milestone in this has been the
announcement of the One India Plan by the public
sector telecom service providers BSNL and MTNL
recently. Keeping in view the problem of inadequate
availability of spectrum for commercial use,
Government proposes to put in place a mechanism for
vacation of spectrum by existing users in Government
to make it available for commercial use in a time
bound manner. My Government will ensure that
manufacturing of electronic and telecom hardware in
the country is given a big thrust. New initiatives
are being taken to bring semi-conductor
manufacturing to India and build a manufacturing
hub.
23. The Special Economic Zones Act was notified in
June, 2005. My government will ensure creation of
required infrastructure and an appropriate framework
to facilitate rapid development of export oriented
manufacturing and services in the country. Drawing
on the ideas put forward by a group of dedicated
Non-Resident Indians, Government has constituted a
Task Force on Petroleum, Chemicals and
Petrochemicals Investment Regions. This Task Force
will evolve a policy framework for development of
sector specific investment regions involving world
class developers which can attract investment upto
$10 billion in each location.
24. To attain rapid economic growth, it is essential
that we step up investment in various sectors of the
economy. My Government intends launching a Ten Year
National Manufacturing Initiative to make the
manufacturing sector the prime driving force for
employment and economic growth. Emphasis will be
placed on labour-intensive sectors such as textiles
& garments, leather & leather goods, food
processing, IT hardware & electronics and auto
components. Focused attention will be given to the
growth of our dynamic services sector including
software, outsourcing, tourism, education and
healthcare so as to create large employment
opportunities. We will also create a policy
framework that attracts Foreign Direct Investment
keeping in view our overall national interest. My
government has taken appropriate decisions to
rationalize the FDI policy with a view to removing
unnecessary hurdles and outdated restrictions.
Honourable Members,
25. To ensure that every citizen of our Republic is
empowered to know how Government programmes are
being implemented, we brought forward a
path-breaking legislation to increase transparency
in the functioning of Government at all levels. The
Right to Information Act, 2005, is a historic piece
of legislation. By ensuring greater transparency in
the functioning of Government, it will help reduce
corruption.
26. Reforming the instruments and processes of
governance is an important element of my
Government’s reform agenda. We have taken several
steps to begin this process from the very top. A new
system of Performance Appraisal Reports and
appraisal by an Eminent Persons Group has been put
in place of the existing system of Annual
Confidential Reports. My Government is introducing
mid-career training systems, with promotions based
on a new criteria and an accelerated empanelment
procedure for senior civil servants. A voluntary
retirement non-promotion system on the basis of
mid-career screening will be put in place for the
All India Services to ensure that the best and the
brightest are rewarded for their performance and
commitment to good governance. My Government has
instituted the Prime Minister’s Awards for
Excellence in Public Administration to encourage
initiative, efficiency, honesty and commitment to
good governance among civil servants. Steps have
been initiated for setting up the Sixth Pay
Commission for government employees.
27. My Government has set up an Administrative
Reforms Commission to undertake a comprehensive
review of governmental machinery at all levels and
to end bureaucratism, thus fulfilling a commitment
of the National Common Minimum Programme. The
National Disaster Management Authority has been
operationalised and is expected to play a fruitful
role in coordinating and planning disaster
mitigation and management efforts.
28. There is a need to pursue reform of our judicial
system. There is a need to bring down pendency of
cases in courts at all levels and reducing the time
taken for deciding cases. There is also a pressing
need to make justice accessible in an easy and
comprehensible manner to all citizens. My Government
is working on proposals to address these issues
through more courts, the use of technology and
computerisation, improved procedures, and
introduction of local courts.
29. Our electoral system has had an impeccable
record and is the pride of our nation. However,
there is always scope for improvement, particularly
in decriminalizing the electoral process, reducing
frivolous candidates and providing more teeth to
electoral officers. My Government is working on
proposals in all these areas.
30. A National e-Governance Plan, with 25 Mission
Mode Projects, has been prepared. A National
Institute of Smart Governance is being set up and a
State-wide Area Network will be created in all
states by 2007. A scheme for computerizing 13,348
District and Subordinate Courts has been separately
launched under the overall directions of a Committee
chaired by the Chief Justice of India. To make
Indian firms globally competitive and enable easy
compliance with Company law requirements, a
pathbreaking e-governance programme known as MCA-21
is being launched this year.
31. My Government has recently amended the
Constitution to facilitate reservations in private
unaided educational institutions for Scheduled
Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other socially and
educationally backward classes of citizens.
Parliament is also considering several bills brought
forward by my Government to socially and
economically empower Scheduled Castes, Scheduled
Tribes, Other Backward Classes and religious
minorities. My Government has introduced a landmark
legislation for providing rights to tribal people on
the land that has been historically under their
possession. The backlog of unfilled reserved posts
in Government is being reduced speedily under a
crash programme. To prepare Scheduled Caste and
Scheduled Tribe candidates for selection to academic
positions and for doctoral studies, my Government
has launched the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship
Scheme under which 2000 fellowships will be funded
annually.
32. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
provides for improvement of private farm lands of
Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes. The Ministry
of Tribal Affairs has initiated a special programme
to provide assistance to states for taking up minor
irrigation schemes for land belonging to Scheduled
Tribes.
33. My Government has created a new Ministry of
Minority Affairs to focus concentrated attention on
the problems of all minorities, including religious
minorities. A National Commission for Minority
Educational Institutions has been established. A
Bill for providing Constitutional status to the
Minorities Commission has been introduced in
Parliament. A Committee under Justice Rajinder
Sachar is studying in-depth the condition of
minorities and is expected to recommend steps for
their economic and social development and
empowerment.
34. A New 15-point Programme for Minorities is under
preparation. This programme will aim at enhancing
the social development of minorities, especially the
poor, modernize Madrasa education, and provide
financial support for entrepreneurship development
and self-employment. My Government intends to
propose statutory measures to prevent and deal
effectively with communal violence and communal
offences and to enable rehabilitation of victims of
communal riots.
Honourable Members,
35. My Government has taken a number of steps to
ensure that the National Common Minimum Programme
commitments regarding full equality to women is
honoured. Amendments have been carried out in the
Hindu Succession Act, 1956 to give equal inheritance
rights to women in property. Government is also
contemplating amendments to the Guardians and Wards
Act 1890, the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act
1956 and the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act
1956 to remove discriminatory provisions contained
in them. A Bill for the compulsory registration of
marriages is also under active consideration. My
Government will make every effort to see that 33%
reservation for women in Parliament and state
legislatures is made possible in the near future.
36. A new Ministry of Women and Child Development
has been created to have focused attention on the
problems of women and children. A National Plan of
Action for Children has been approved and a National
Commission for the Protection of Child Rights is
being established. Our goal is to ensure that all
children have a secure, healthy and happy childhood
with access to education and health care. The Rajiv
Gandhi National Creche Scheme for children of
working mothers has been approved recently. This
envisages establishment of nearly 30,000 crèches for
children. The Integrated Child Development Services
Scheme is being universalized with nearly 1.88 lakh
additional anganwadis being sanctioned. With a
comprehensive range of pre-natal and post-natal care
services, immunization, nutrition and early
childhood education services, the universalisation
of this programme will be a great step forward in
reducing infant and maternal mortality. We also need
to take immediate steps to eliminate female
foeticide and improve the juvenile sex ratio.
Honourable Members,
37. You have passed a comprehensive Bill to protect
women from domestic violence. A Bill on protection
against sexual harassment is shortly to be
finalized. Suitable amendments to the Sati
(Prevention) Act will also be shortly made. The
Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act is proposed to be
amended to strengthen provisions against trafficking
in women and children.
38. The Criminal Procedure Code has been amended to
ensure greater protection to women. These include
the prohibition of arrest of women after sunset and
before sunrise except in unavoidable circumstances,
a provision to ensure immediate medical examination
of rape victims within 24 hours, DNA profiling, and
investigation by a judicial or Metropolitan
Magistrate of incidents of rape in custody.
39. Honourable Members are aware of my views on the
importance of investing in the knowledge economy.
Since ancient times, our society has greatly valued
knowledge. Our democracy has enabled us to spread
the benefits of knowledge more widely. Today we live
in a knowledge era in which every social and
economic activity is driven by knowledge.
40. My Government had constituted the National
Knowledge Commission to seek expert advice on how we
can empower our people with skills and capabilities
relevant to the knowledge era. The Commission is
also expected to examine how we can modernize our
educational system in keeping with the emerging
requirements of the future. The Commission’s report
is shortly awaited. My Government has in the
meanwhile, decided to create new centers of
excellence in basic sciences, on the lines of the
Indian Institute of Science, in Kolkata, Pune and in
Punjab. My Government is investing substantially in
the Science and Technology field to promote domestic
research and development, both public and private,
so that India can emerge as a significant player in
the knowledge era. We will work with partners across
the world to promote the development and utilization
of knowledge through collaborative efforts.
41. Last year Cartosat-1, the high resolution
cartographic mapping satellite with along track
stereo imaging capability, the first of its kind in
the world, was launched, along with HAMSAT,
re-affirming India’s excellence in remote sensing
and amateur radio operation. The PSLV C6 was itself
launched from the recently established state-of
the-art Second Launch Pad at Sriharikota. INSAT-4A,
launched in December, will revolutionise the
broadcasting infrastructure in our country,
including DTH services. Our space scientists and
telecommunications engineers have played a major
role empowering our teachers, media personnel and
creative professionals with the requisite
technological means. This synergy has enabled India
to emerge as a major knowledge, media and
entertainment power. My Government will further
strengthen our capabilities in this area of cultural
and scientific development. The entertainment
industry is getting linked to information
technology. To explore ways and means of expanding
our opportunities in this area, a Task Force on
Information, Communication and Entertainment has
recently been constituted. Given adequate attention,
I am confident that our entertainment sector has the
potential to be world class and compete with the
best. My Government will take steps to strengthen
the Indian entertainment industry so that it can
achieve global scale and realize its potential.
42. Our space programme has been beneficial beyond
our borders. During the current financial year, we
have begun work on creating a pan-African e-Network
Project that will be bridging the digital divide in
that continent. Indian expertise in IT, education
and healthcare will eventually be available to 53
countries in Africa.
43. My Government is deeply committed to the
protection and preservation of our environment,
including all species of flora and fauna. A
strategic programme to increase forest cover is
proposed to be undertaken. The Tiger is our national
animal and an endangered species. A Tiger Task Force
was established last year on whose suggestions
action is being taken. My Government proposes to
create a National Tiger Conservation Authority for
more effective management of our Tiger Reserves.
Steps are also being taken to reduce poaching of
these magnificent animals. For the first time, a
draft National Environment Policy has been
formulated to harmonize environmental, social and
economic imperatives.
Honourable Members,
44. My Government has taken a number of measures for
the welfare of the people in the North East. Almost
Rs 10,000 crores of investment is being made at
Bongaigaon, Dibrugarh and in Tripura in thermal
power projects using local coal and gas. Particular
emphasis will be given to the border areas in this
region, specially Arunachal Pradesh, for
infrastructure and road development. The accelerated
North-East Road Development project is under
consideration, which will provide connectivity to
state capitals and district headquarters in the
North-East, and include upgradation of such other
stretches of national and state highways which are
critical for the economic development of the region.
45. My Government is actively engaged in reviewing
and streamlining of procedures under the
Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources for the North
East. A new industrial policy for the North East
will be announced shortly. A North East health
package is also being developed and will be put in
place at the earliest. In order to address problems
faced by students and working women from the North
East while living in the national capital, a 500-bed
girls’ hostel in the Delhi University and a 500-bed
hostel for working women have been approved. My
Government will set up a National Institute of
Technology in Tripura, a Central Institute of
Technology at Kokrajhar, and an Indian Institute of
Management in the North-East. The proposed
North-Eastern Water Resources Authority is expected
to ensure effective utilization of hydro-power
generation capacity in the region, especially in
Arunachal Pradesh. The North-Eastern Council has
been revitalized and work on fencing along the
India- Bangladesh border is being speeded up.
Honourable Members,
46. I am happy to inform you that the Rs. 24,000
crore package for Jammu and Kashmir has been
successfully launched and substantial progress has
been made in several sectors. The response of the
Central and State Government agencies and civil
society at large to the unfortunate earthquake in
the state was commendable. The Government’s
courageous decision to disburse financial assistance
for rehabilitation directly to the affected persons
has been appreciated by the people. According to the
latest reports, most of the restoration work is
nearly complete. Substantial help was received from
other state governments, public sector organizations
and NGOs from all over the country. The Srinagar-
Muzzafarabad bus service is operating normally and
my Government’s initiative in this regard has been
universally acclaimed, most importantly by the
people of Jammu & Kashmir. I pay tribute to the
commitment of the people of the state to peace which
has given an impetus to the peace process and
normalization of the situation at the ground level.
Honourable Members,
47. My Government has remained deeply committed to
national security and pursued a two-pronged approach
of reaching out to disaffected sections of our
society while dealing firmly with terrorists and
other anti-national forces. There has been an
improvement in the law and order situation across
the country, especially in Jammu & Kashmir and the
North-eastern States. The number of incidents of
civilians killed and persons kidnapped in both Jammu
and Kashmir and the North-East have registered a
decline in the last year. Government is engaged in
talks, including at the highest level, with a large
number of political groups in both regions. These
talks have progressed in a constructive manner and
have contributed to relieving the sense of
alienation among some of our people.
48. My Government has also expressed its willingness
to talk to all political groups to address their
grievances, real or imaginary. At the same time, my
Government is steadfast in its resolve to combat
terrorism, militancy and extremism and to uphold the
rule of law. We acted swiftly to deal with terrorist
attacks in various parts of the country, including
in our national capital and in Bangalore, at the
temple of learning, the Indian Institute of Science.
I was deeply distressed and pained by the senseless
killing of so many innocent citizens, including a
distinguished scientist. Government will act without
fear or favour in bringing the guilty to book and
will wage a relentless war against terrorism. We
will work with all those committed to this battle
from across the world.
Honourable Members,
49. The Nation is proud of our Armed Forces. My
Government has paid renewed attention to the
requirements of our national defence and the welfare
of ex-servicemen. A Department of ex-Servicemen’s
Welfare has been created to focus on their issues
and assist the families of our brave jawans. We have
approved an improved pension scheme for our
ex-servicemen who retired before 1996, particularly
our jawans which will benefit over a million
ex-servicemen. By pursuing defence modernization in
a systematic manner, Government has strengthened our
military capability. This approach, taking account
of our strategic environment and drawing on our
technological prowess will guide us in the coming
years.
Honourable Members,
50. The foreign policy of my Government is, as has
always been the case, guided by enlightened national
interest. It has been oriented to enlarge our policy
choice. My Government has made vigorous efforts to
build friendly and cooperative ties with our
neighbours and to strengthen SAARC. India regards
SAARC as an important forum for regional cooperation
and we look forward to Afghanistan joining SAARC as
its eighth member. The entry into force of SAFTA on
January 1, 2006 was a landmark. India will have the
privilege of hosting the next SAARC Summit and in
that context the several initiatives we have
proposed shall be pursued.
51. My Government has taken several steps to improve
our relations with all our neighbours. The landmark
visit of the Prime Minister to Afghanistan in August
2005 has reinforced our commitment to help in the
reconstruction of Afghanistan. There has also been
good progress in increased people to people contacts
and bilateral trade with all our neighbours,
including Pakistan. The spontaneous outpouring of
sympathy and assistance from the people of India for
the victims of the earthquake in Pakistan underlines
the goodwill among the peoples of the two countries.
While we remain concerned over infiltration and
cross-border terrorism and expect Pakistan to
fulfill its commitments in this regard, we reiterate
our commitment to the composite dialogue process
with Pakistan. The opening of new bus links between
Amritsar and Lahore and Amritsar and Nankana Sahib
and the opening up of the Khokrapar- Munabao rail
link are further steps in promoting people to people
contacts between our two countries.
52. We attach high importance to strengthening our
relations with our global economic partners. Our
relations with the United States underwent a
substantial transformation in 2005 and we carry
forward our strategic partnership based on the July
18 Joint Statement of the Prime Minister and the US
President. Government expects that the country may
gain access to international cooperation for
enlargement of our civilian nuclear energy sector
based on the reciprocal commitments of India and the
US in the Joint Statement. Parliament will be
appraised of the on-going discussions on this
subject in this session. The India-US relationship
also encompasses many more important issues. Major
initiatives are underway to encourage the expansion
of investment, trade and technology transfers,
accelerate cooperation in agriculture, health and
human resource development, in cooperation for
energy security, a framework for defence cooperation
and expanding cooperation on key global challenges.
53. My Government has continued to pursue the
objective of a comprehensive re-engagement with
Russia. Our time-tested friendship with Russia has
led to the growth and development of extensive ties
of cooperation in the fields of oil and gas, trade
and investment, nuclear energy, space, high
technology and defence. My state visit to Russia,
the annual Summit level meeting between the Prime
Minister and the Russian President and a large
number of cabinet level exchanges will give impetus
to this. Government hopes to further strengthen our
relationship, specially in areas of strategic
importance in the days to come.
54. We are working to build our relationship with
China on the basis of our strategic and cooperative
partnership, forged during the visit of Chinese
Premier Wen Jiabao in April 2005. A positive start
has been made in the second phase of discussions
between the Special Representatives on the Boundary
Question based on the Agreement on the Political
Parameters and Guiding Principles signed in April
2005, and we are looking forward to this process
gaining further momentum.
55. Our ties with the European Union and its 25
member states have expanded considerably. India
maintains strategic partnerships with France,
Germany and the UK, with regular interactions at the
highest level. Prime Minister Blair had a fruitful
visit last year which strengthened the relationship
between our two countries. The forthcoming visit of
the President of France is expected to give a new
thrust to our relationship with this important and
influential friend.
56. Our "Look East" policy was further strengthened
with India’s participation in the historic East Asia
Summit held in Kuala Lumpur which has the potential
of defining the future regional architecture. The
Prime Minister of Singapore H.E. Mr. Lee Hsien Loong
paid a State Visit to India in June 2005 during
which Singapore and India signed a Comprehensive
Economic Cooperation Agreement which has become a
benchmark. Our interaction with this region is
active; we hosted the President of Indonesia and the
Prime Minister of Thailand. Recently, I myself paid
State Visits to Singapore, Philippines and the
Republic of Korea which have strengthened our
relationship with them.
57. Our relations with Japan have been reinforced by
high level interaction and dialogue. The global
partnership established between India and Japan
acquired a fresh orientation during the visit in
April 2005 of the Prime Minister of Japan and we
look forward to a close and cooperative engagement
on bilateral and global issues.
58. My Government is paying close attention to our
ties with the countries of the Gulf region that has
become home to over 4 million Indians and a major
source of supplies of our oil and gas. We were
privileged to receive His Majesty the King of Saudi
Arabia, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, as
the Chief Guest at the Republic Day 2006. This visit
has opened a new vista and enlarged our traditional
ties. The Emir of Qatar visited India in April 2005
followed by the First Lady recently. We attach very
high importance to West Asian issues and remain
supportive of the efforts of the international
community in finding a just and durable solution to
the problems faced by the Palestinian people so that
they may achieve a state of their own. At the same
time we attach high importance to our friendly
relations with Israel which we hope to strengthen
and diversify.
59. This last year saw a marked change in the global
perception of India as an influential actor on the
international stage. This was a recognition of our
emergence as a strong economy; of our ability to
adjust to change – economic and social; and, of our
capability to shoulder responsibilities – global and
regional. Overseas Indians have contributed in a
major way to this changed perception and my
Government has recognized their contribution by
launching the Overseas Citizenship Scheme for
Persons of Indian Origin. We are also planning to
grant voting rights to Non-Resident Indians. By
hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Games and bidding for
the 2012 Asian Games, we hope to enhance our global
stature further.
60. In conclusion, I return to the theme I began
with. Our country is destined to regain its due
place in the comity of nations in the 21st century.
However, there is much we must do at home to realize
this potential and fulfill the aspirations of our
people. My Government is committed to doing so
through the National Common Minimum Programme.
61. Today the economy is poised for better
performance. My Government believes that our people
will respond handsomely if we pursue policies that
invest in their capabilities and liberate their
creativity and enterprise. This requires good
governance. Good governance today implies more
efficient use of public finances in sectors in which
Government must invest, and less Government
intervention in areas where individual initiative
can achieve more. No country has prospered by
printing money or incurring excessive debt. Only
through hard work, higher productivity and prudent
management of resources - human, natural and
financial - can prosperity be achieved. My
Government is committed to the judicious management
of public finances, to the efficient management of
public utilities and enterprises and to the pursuit
of reform, in all its dimensions. At the same time,
there is a need for maintaining communal harmony and
promoting an inclusive society in which every
section of society feels secure, empowered and
confident about their future. My Government is
committed towards creating such an environment so
that the latent potential of our people can blossom
and create a new India of our dreams.
Honourable Members,
62. This is an important session of Parliament. The
people of our country, who have sent you here as
their representatives, sincerely hope that you will
make the best use of the time available to represent
their interests. I urge you to devote your energies
to a mature consideration of the business of both
Houses of Parliament and act in the best interests
of the country and our citizens. Time is precious,
please do not waste it. You have my best wishes in
all your noble endeavours in the service of our
people.
Jai Hind!
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