Talking about “common neighbour” Pakistan, Mukherjee said that in recent years India has pursued a policy of “positive and substantial engagement” with Islamabad.
On Afghanistan, he said that India has had a history of friendly relations with the country and it is actively engaged in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan. He also said that India has “long-standing” ties with Iraq. “We wish to see the Iraqi people freely determine their political future and exercise control over their natural resources.”