Tuesday, February 14 2006 12:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Noting that India faced a 'turbulent neighbourhood'z, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Feb 14,2006) said it was a foremost challenge for New Delhi to create a 'stable and cooperative atmosphere in the region to allow us to concentrate our energies on tackling problems at home and in the region.'

"Peace, prosperity and stability in South Asia are a top priority concern of our external policies. The destiny of all countries is closely interlinked," he said laying the foundation stone for the Jawaharlal Nehru Bhavan here thatwill house the External Affairs Ministry.

"We face a turbulent neighbourhood. It is our foremost challenge to create a stable and cooperative atmosphere in our region that will allow us to concentrate our energies on tackling the problems at home and in our region," the Prime Minister said.

Asserting that India had worked hard to create the space needed to have the freedom to make policy choices in an 'increasingly inter-dependent world', Singh said, "The means we adopt to pursue our enduring objectives of peace, national security and development will, of course, change from time to time."

"They (policies) will have to be evolved in response to the changing reality of an ever-changing world, " he said. The Prime Minister said while the 'instruments' of the UPA Government's policy and the 'tactics and strategy we adopt, may change with time, the values in which they are embedded are universal and will remain true for all.'

The comments assume significance in view of the mounting attack of the government's crucial supporting allies Left parties and opposition parties over India's position on Iran and allegations that the policy on the Gulf country was being reoriented under pressure from the West.

"Our diplomats are called upon to steer the course of India's foreign relations in an extremely complex global scenario," Singh said.