India has emerged as bridge between global extremes: PM

New Delhi, Aug 15 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said India has emerged as a ''bridge between the many extremes of the world,'' obviously referring to New Delhi championing the cause of the poor and developing nations at the WTO, the UN and other international fora.

Addressing the nation on the occasion of the Independence Day, he said India wanted to maintain best relations with all its neighbours. He did not mention Pakistan or any other neighbour.

In fact, there were just two small paragraphs on foreign policy in the nine-page text of his address, delivered in 40 minutes.

Following is the relevant portion: India wants to have good relations with all the countries of the world. Big and small. Countries of the East and the West, the North and the South. Today, we enjoy good relations with all major powers and all developing countries. We have emerged as a bridge between the many extremes of the world. Our composite culture is living proof of the possibility of a confluence of civilizations. India will always be a nation bridging the many global divides.

India wants to live in a neighbourhood of peace and prosperity.

I assure all our neighbours that we in India want peace and the best of relations with all of them. I sincerely believe that in the prosperity and well-being of our neighbours lies the key to our own security and progress.

UNI