Kerala - Alappuzha

Foreign policy gets a new thrust: Ahamed

By Our Staff Reporter

ALAPPUZHA, SEPT. 22. The Union Minister of State for External Affairs, E. Ahamed, has said that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre has given a new thrust to the foreign policy.

Inaugurating the C.H. Muhammed Koya memorial meeting organised by the IUML district committee here yesterday night, Mr. Ahamed said there was marked change in the attitude of other nations towards the country after the change of guard in Delhi.

Hostage issue

The success of the country in the hostage issue in Iraq was a result of the new initiatives in the diplomatic sector, Mr. Ahamed said. He recounted that the Indian leaders from Jawaharlal Nehru to Rajiv Gandhi had commanded immense respect to foreign nations. He said he realised it during his foreign trips.

Palestine problem

Mr. Ahamed said there was no change in the country's stand in the Palestine issue. The Palestine people should get their land, Mr. Ahamed said. ``Secularism was the cornerstone upon which our country was built,'' he said.

The Muslims of India stood for the unity of the country. ``The Hindus should be considered as elder brothers of the minority communities,'' Mr. Ahamed said.

The IUML Alappuzha district president, K.A. Kalam, presided over the meeting. Those who spoke at the meeting included the Public Works Minister, M.K. Muneer, the Tourism Minister, K.C. Venugopal, V.K. Ibrahim Kunju, MLA, and the cine director, Fazil.

Religious amity meet

Earlier, Mr. Ahamed inaugurated the religious harmony meeting organised by Guru Dharma Prachara Sabha at Thanneermukkom.

In his speech, Mr. Ahamed said the ideals of Sree Narayana Guru were most relevant in the present times when divisive forces were trying to create unrest in society.

The Gurudharma Prachara Sabha leader, Bose Lal, welcomed the gathering.

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