Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-The newly elected Indian government is committed and determination to work towards building a peaceful, stable and economically inter-linked neighbourhood, President Pranab Mukherjee said Monday.

“….. my government's commitment and determination to work towards building a peaceful, stable and economically inter-linked neighbourhood which is essential for the collective development and prosperity of the South Asian Region,” he said.

Mukherjee was addressing the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament in New Delhi.

During the customary annual session, he laid down the goals of the newly-elected Narendra Modi government.

“My government sent a unique and bold signal to the South Asian region and the world, by inviting for the first time in independent India, leaders of all South Asian neighbours to the swearing-in ceremony of the new Council of Ministers on May 26,” he said.

The Indian president also expressed his gratitude to the leaders of the neighbouring countries for accepting the invitation at such a short notice.

“Their participation, as also the gracious presence of the Prime Minister of Mauritius; not only added sheen to the ceremony, but also represented a celebration of democracy in the region and convergence of our shared hopes and aspirations,” he added.

He also expressed his hope the Modi-led government will further work together with South Asian leaders to revitalise SAARC as an effective instrument for regional cooperation and as a united voice on global issues.

“We will never shy away from raising issues of concern to us at a bilateral level. We emphasise that the future of shared prosperity can only be built on the foundation of stability in the region, which requires sensitivity to security concerns and an end to export of terrorism to neighbours,” he said.

Mukherjee also said the new government will lay special emphasis on improving the intra-region connectivity and border infrastructure in the Northeast as well as in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The issue of infiltration and illegal immigrants in the Northeast region will be tackled on priority and all pending fencing work along the Northeast border will be completed,” he said.

BBN/ANS/AD-09June14-4:00pm (BBN)