New Delhi, February 23
While expressing satisfaction with the Indo-Pak dialogue process, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam categorically said today the success of the composite dialogue between the two neighbours hinged on Islamabad stopping the use of its territory for terrorist activities.

In his address to the joint-sitting of Parliament, which began its Budget Session here today, Mr Kalam expressed serious concern about infiltration and cross-border terrorism and maintained that "the success of the dialogue is predicated on Pakistan fulfilling its commitment not to permit any territory under its control to be used to support terrorism in any manner."

Emphasising that India's foreign policy had been evolved by the desire to create an external environment conducive to peace and stability in the region, Mr Kalam said it was aimed at ensuring the country's accelerated economic development coupled with safeguarding national security.

"In pursuit of this, the government has undertaken a comprehensive engagement with the world, including all major powers, the extended neighbourhood and with other countries of the developing and Non-Aligned world,” he said.

On the dialogue process with Pakistan, the President noted that the composite dialogue, the Joint Commission and the Anti-Terrorism Institutional mechanism have provided a structural framework within which all major issues were being discussed.

Mr Kalam gave a broad overview of India’s relations with the US, Russia, China, Japan and other countries and said efforts were on to arrive at an agreement on civilian nuclear energy cooperation with the US within the parameters laid out in the July 18, 2005, Joint Statement and the March 2, 2006, separation plan of military and civilian nuclear facilities. Dwelling on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit here, the President said Indo-Russian ties were poised to deepen. Agreements reached during Mr Putin’s visit to this country would significantly expand bilateral cooperation in energy, high technology, defence and space.

He said the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao in November last year had strengthened the process of sustained and comprehensive development of Sino-Indian relations.

The 10-point strategy with China would add greater content to the strategic partnership between the two countries, he stressed.

While welcoming the visit of the Japanese Prime Minister to India later this year, Mr Kalam said negotiations were under way for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement.

The President stressed that ensuring the defence of the country was an “unshakeable commitment” of the government and there will be no complacency in the focus on strengthening the armed forces.