Faced with roadblocks in pushing the reform agenda at home, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said that the path of economic liberalisation is "contentious and rarely painless".
In his address to think tanks, intellectuals and business community, Singh said that while pursing the economic reforms, special measures should be taken to help disadvantage people.
"The path of economic reform is often contentious and rarely painless. In the process of opening up, special measures need to be taken to help disadvantaged sections of society who are not yet empowered to benefit from the fruits of growth and globalisation," he said.
Singh emphasised the need for economic development without threatening environment or the delicate ecological balance.
At home, the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government is up against tough challenge of pushing the economic reforms agenda in the face of opposition from its key allies.
The pending reforms include FDI in retail, deregulation of diesel and cooking gas prices, and taxation policy changes.
Referring to bilateral economic ties, the Prime Minister said, "Myanmar is a critical partner in India's 'Look East' policy and is perfectly situated to play the role of an economic bridge between India and China and between South and South-East Asia."
Singh said India and Myanmar should work together to create a regional economy that can become a hub for trade, investment and communication in the region.
"Better communication is the best way of promoting economic integration and there is much we can do to revive and build arteries of communication," he added.
Singh informed that Myanmar government has invited India to assist in the development of two areas contiguous to our border, namely the Naga Self Administered Zone of the Sagaing Region and the Chin State. "We hope to implement small development projects that have been successful elsewhere".
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