Delegates to the fifth Annual Heads of Mission Conference called on the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee today (November 6, 2013) at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said the theme of the Conference - "India’s place in the changing world order” is extremely relevant. Our foreign policy must be an extension of our national policy. There are certain basic fundamentals in our foreign policy that we have inherited from our core civilization values and our freedom movement. They must continue to guide us in our relations with our neighbours.
The President said India has been always committed to global peace but is conscious of the fact that efforts for the same should begin from our neighbourhood. We can change friends but not neighbours. Change is the only constant and India’s foreign policy must adapt to changing scenarios in the world.
The President said terrorism remains a major challenge. India was the first country to recognize at a high personal cost the threat that terrorism posed and to warn the world about it. Many countries in the Indian sub-continent have been victims of terrorism. It has witnessed the largest number of political assassinations of its leaders. This challenge of terrorism needs to be addressed through greater collective efforts. No country can insulate itself from this menace.
The President said India deserves to have her rightful place in the comity of nations and called on the Heads of Missions to work towards this goal.
This release issued at 1730 hrs