President A P J Abdul Kalam on Saturday said it was essential to strengthen and restructure the United Nations to make it "more purposeful" and advocated multipolarity in world order that respects the principles of sovereignty, non-intervention, freedom and democracy.
In his Independence Day-eve address, Kalam noted that with the rapidly changing global security environment, the nation's domains of security concerns have "greatly expanded" from what they were after Independence.
"Another measure of our nation's strength is the effective, firm and fair handling of a series of internal low intensity conflicts and proxy war," he said.
The President observed that India was steadily strengthening its presence in regional and international institutions including the UN.
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Full text of President's speech
"We also realize that it is essential to strengthen and restructure the UN to make it more purposeful," he said.
"We cherish and advocate multipolarity in the world order that respects the principles of sovereignty, non-intervention, freedom and democracy," he stressed.
"While not forgetting the painful lessons of history, our foreign policy is aimed at a vision that seeks to establish India, the largest democracy in the world, as a developed country with its rightful place in the international fora."
The President noted with satisfaction government's continuing efforts towards good neighbourly relations, particularly the "sustained progress" of the peace process between India and Pakistan.
In his nine-page address, Kalam said the nation is happy that the conduct of the recent general elections and transition to a new government has taken place in a peaceful and orderly manner.
"In an increasingly complex world environment, this significant achievement emerging from India is yet another valuable contribution to world peace and stability. Now that the government is in place, we all have to get on with the work of building tha nation," he emphasised.
Saluting freedom fighters, he said, "We remember them with reverence and gratitude for liberating us from centuries of foreign rule. Their saga of sacrifice has led to the realisation of the singular and noble vision of heralding an independent nation."
