New Delhi: Giving "highest priority" to close relations with its neighbours, the new Government will pursue dialogue with Pakistan on all outstanding issues on a "sustained" basis within the framework of the Simla Agreement and all subsequent accords.

The accords include the latest joint statement of January 6, 2004, President A P J Abdul Kalam today (June 7, 2004) said addressing the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament outlining the broad contours of the Congress-led coalition Government's foreign policy.

He said the Government will give the "highest priority" to building closer political, economic, and other ties with its neighbours in South Asia and to strengthening the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation).

While most parts of his address is a virtual reproduction of what has been enunciated in the foreign policy chapter of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the ruling alliance, there have been some changes and elaboration.

On relations with Pakistan, the CMP had said that dialogue with it on all issues will be pursued "systematically and on a sustained basis".

Kalam, in his address, said "dialogue with Pakistan on all outstanding issues will be pursued on a sustained basis within the framework of the Simla Agreement and all subsequent agreements between the two Governments, including the Joint Statement of January 6, 2004".