Wednesday, January 12 2005 16:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Jan 12, 2005) said that the Left parties providing crucial outside support to his Government were in agreement with the Centre's economic policies including wooing FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) into the country.

Addressing industry leaders while inaugurating the Partnership Summit of the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) in Kolkata the Prime Minister said that the Left allies were in full support of providing an investment friendly environment.

"I am aware that at time some of the views expressed by our alliance partners on the Left may have raised some doubts in your minds but I am sure you will leave this summit reassured and convinced that there is today a wide ranging consensus on the necessity for India to be actively engaged with the world economy," Singh said.

Profusely praising the West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who was sharing dais with him, Singh said that he was not all surprised when Wipro chief Azim Premji had termed as the nation's best Chief Minister.

He said during his visit to New York some foreign investors had raised some doubts about the influence of the Left parties on the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government's economic policies but Purnendu Chatterjee came to the defence re-assuring them by saying, 'if Buddhadeb's Bengal is investment friendly, can't the same be true of the Government in Delhi?"

The Prime Minister went on to say, "I do not have to reassure this audience that not only is our Government committed to providing an investment friendly environment but also has the full support of our left allies in doing so."