MJ Akbar

Kolkata : Terming India’s engagement with its neighbours in recent times as “unprecedented”, Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar on Monday said the country has responded to the present day need for greater reach to neighbouring countries.

“Present day needs call for India’s greater reach and not just merely for trade and commerce,” he said here in an interactive session organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce.

Pointing out to recent acquisition of share in Abu Dhabi’s oil production after agreeing to pay $600 million for one tenth of one of the Emirates’ biggest offshore deposits, Akbar said that the success has come with India getting access to strategic resources.

“We are getting strategic resources in place and securing our energy needs. The time has come when neighbourhood means reach. India’s level of engagement with neighbours is unprecedented,” he said.

Responding to a query on the multi-crore banking fraud detected by Punjab National Bank, he said the Centre has been quick on “follow up action” and the raids are being conducted and FIRs are filed.

“Questions should also be put out to those who had opened showrooms for the accused,” Akbar added.

—IANS