Vis-a-vis Pakistan, we have consistently declared our commitment to the peace process and to carrying forward dialogue process. Our approach to talks will be based on realism and the belief that the people of South Asia are bound together by a shared destiny. It is not in my nature to promise a false dawn but I do beleive in the ancient saying that a road is made by walking, step by step. We will continue to strengthen strategic and political equations with the United States and Russian Federation. We shall move forward on resolving the boundary issue with China and fashion a stable cooperative relationship with that country. It is my expectation that the agreements relating to the first phase of the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP) with the United States would be finalized soon as the Foreign Secretary is visiting Washington DC in the coming fortnight for final negotiations on this subject. This will enable closer bilateral cooperation in the areas of science and technology and space exploration. I have repeatedly emphasized the importance of reforming government and improving governance in the country. This is not a partisan or a party political agenda. I have sought a national consensus on a code of conduct, a code of ethics and a code of best practices in government. This is in the national interest. Whether in accelerating the rate of economic growth or dealing with law and order and  the internal security challenge, the real task at hand is to reform the three arms of governance the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. Major political parties are today in government in one state or another. Whatever our political differences, all of us have a shared interest and a joint stake in improving the country. In respect of the control of the economic life of this country. This should be a part of our regular constitutional framework. What I should like to see is the incorporation of a large number of provisions of the defence of India act. Submitting to wrong policies and also that the planning commission did not watch the progress of the plan even in its broadest elements.
