Manmohan defends globalisation

Often facing flaks from the Left on globalisation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today advocated greater interaction with the world saying this could enhance a country's self-reliance.

Speaking at a function to mark 75th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi March, he said, "The idea of self-reliance does not imply pursuing a policy of autarky. It does not mean cutting ourselves away from the world."

"We can, indeed, pursue greater self-reliance by creating inter-relationships of inter-dependence that enhance our bargaining power. Greater interaction with the world can in fact enhance a nation's self-reliance by creating a web of mutually beneficial inter-relationships," Singh said.

"I sincerely believe that this is the brave new world in which our freedom fighters would have liked to see the india of our times stand tall", the Prime Minister said.

"Self-reliance in the modern world implies the ability to pursue one's interests with self-confidence and faith in one's own capabilities. We do not have pursue self-reliance by doing everything ourselves", he said.