While India remains concerned about infiltration and cross-border terrorism, President A P J Abdul Kalam said on Thursday that the government is committed to a composite dialogue process with Pakistan.
"There has also been progress made in increased people-to-people contacts and bilateral trade with all our neighbours, including Pakistan," Kalam said, while addressing a joint sitting of Parliament.
He said the spontaneous expression of sympathy and assistance from Indians for the victims of the earthquake in Pakistan underlines the goodwill among the people 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," Kalam said.
He termed the opening of new bus links between Amritsar and Lahore and Amritsar and Nankana Sahib as well as the rail link between Khokrapar and Munabao as further steps made in this regard.
The President said the United Progressive Alliance government's foreign policy continued to be guided by 'enlightened national interest'.
Referring to South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, he said India regarded it as an important forum and 'looked forward to Afghanistan joining SAARC as its eighth member'.
President Kalam said that the government had taken several steps to improve relations with neighbouring countries - "The landmark visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Afghanistan in August 2005 has reinforced our commitment to help in the reconstruction of Afghanistan."
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