RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3698
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2019
RELATIONSHIP WITH SAARC COUNTRIES
3698. SHRI SASMIT PATRA:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the status of relations between India and the SAARC countries at present; and
(b) the measures proposed to be taken for improving relations between India and the SAARC countries during the next five years?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
(a) & (b) India enjoys excellent bilateral relations with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. As per our ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, Government is committed to developing friendly and mutually beneficial relations with all its
neighbours. India is an active development partner and is engaged in several projects in these countries. Our engagement with these countries will continue to be based on a consultative, non-reciprocal and outcome-oriented approach, while focussing on delivering
benefits like greater connectivity, improved infrastructure, stronger development cooperation in various sectors area, security and broader people-to-people contacts. With regards to Pakistan, the Government has conveyed that it desires normal neighbourly
relations with Pakistan in an atmosphere free from terror, hostility and violence. The onus is on Pakistan for creating such an environment.
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