NEW DELHI, Jan 23: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Monday the well-being of Pakistan and all other neighbours was in India’s interests, but declared his government’s determination to defeat terrorism with all the forces at its command.

“We are pursuing a composite dialogue with Pakistan with the understanding that in South Asia we have not just a shared past but a shared future and a shared destiny. The development and well-being of all our neighbours is in our interest,” he said, addressing a national meeting of his Congress Party in Hyderabad.

“We have been able to improve our relations with many of our neighbours, including our biggest neighbour China,” Dr Singh said.

His government had taken major initiatives to integrate the country’s economy with that of East Asia, South East Asia, South Asia and West Asia.

“We will work with all like-minded nations in the fight against terrorism and in the struggle for a more humane and equitable world order.”

He said no one could question the Congress party’s patriotism or its commitment to the national interest. “Our foreign policy has always been based on the defence of our national interest and the welfare and well-being of our people.”

Dr Singh assured his party that the government would never make any compromise with the fundamental interests of the country. “In order to do so, we have to strengthen our defence forces. We care for our brave jawans and have improved their pension system to take care of the concerns of ex-soldiers who retired long ago. National security is supreme for us and will never be compromised at any cost,” he added.