India to place special emphasis on neighbourhood, says Sushma Swaraj

India will place special emphasis on its neighbourhood, stretching from West Asia to East Asia, while playing a role to fulfill its international responsibilities to build a peaceful and prosperous world, the government told Parliament today.

Making suo motu statements in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Brazil for BRICS Summit, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said the new government has already "actively and decisively" followed that policy in the short time that it has been in office.

She made the statement on insistence by opposition Congress that the Prime Minister should make a statement on the 6th BRICS Summit attended by him.

Hitting back, Swaraj said former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had attended five BRICS Summits during his tenure but no statement was made in Parliament.

"There has never been a tradition (of making a statement on BRICS Summit). We are starting a new tradition today," she said before making the statement.

Swaraj said the Prime Minister was very satisfied with the outcome of the BRICS Summit and his meetings with leaders of partner countries of the grouping - Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa -- besides those of South American nations.

"In the emerging global environment, it is essential for India to pursue pro-active and broad-based international engagement to advance our national development and security and to fulfill our international responsibilities to build a peaceful and prosperous world," the minister said.

"We will continue to place special emphasis on our neighbourhood, stretching from West Asia to East Asia," she said.