Monday, August 15 2005 16:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Appreciating the Prime Minister for showing "great concerns for economic and social development of the country", CPI (Communist Party of India) today (Aug 15, 2005) termed Manmohan Singh's speech as "reasonably motivated with good intentions."

"The Prime Minister's speech was reasonably motivated with good intentions and great concerns for the economic and social development of the country," CPI General Secretary D Raja said.

Welcoming Manmohan Singh's priorities for agriculture, rural development, rural health, employment and his concern for schedule castes, schedule tribes and women, Raja said PM tried to motivate the people towards the path of prosperity.

Praising the Government's efforts to improve relations with China, Russia and all the neighbouring countries, he said they were not opposed to Indo-US relations, but maintained the relations must be "equitable and balanced".

"We are not opposed to having any relations with US. We want relations with US also. But it must be equitable and balanced," he said.

Lauding Manmohan Singh's "committed" effort to have meaningful dialogue with Islamabad, he said," Prime Minister made it clear that Pakistan should dismantle all the terrorist infrastructure and at the same time he said dialogue is the only alternative."

The CPI General Secretary also welcomed Prime Minister's assurance on extending the benefits of reservation to private sector. "The private sector should take the message from Prime Minister's speech and respond positively," he said.