New Delhi, June 11:

Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh admitted today that India would face ‘increasing competition’ from China in the area of energy security, while emphasising the need for a peaceful neighbourhood for the country’s growth and prosperity.

“Now competition and cooperation have to be watchwords.

We have to cooperate but have also to recognise that there will be increasing competition from China, from other countries also those who are entrenched, would not like to make way for others - the newcomers,” the prime minister said.

He was addressing the new batch of officers of the Indian Foreign Service at a function here. He outlined the broad contours of India’s foreign policy with special emphasis on the importance of India’s relations with its immediate neighbours.

“We need a peaceful neighbourhood. And that is why it is very important that our relations with our neighbours whether they are China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka — they are of critical importance in realising our national ambitions,” Singh said.

He pointed out that energy security, which was required for India’s growth, was an important area and it could also lead to new tensions with other countries, particularly China, that was not only growing at a faster pace but had already placed itself in an advantageous position to tap energy sources in different parts of the world.

“So, therefore, tensions will be part of the evolving world systems and how we handle our problems, how we project our national interests, will be a crucial determinant of our capacity to be successful in the race for development,” the prime minister added.

Manmohan Singh said India had a ‘vested interest’ in their stability and progress because

if they fail to move forward and prosper, many of their problems could well become that of India’s.

“If Bangladesh suffers from global warming, I think a large number of people will willy-nilly migrate, legally or illegally, into our country. India and Nepal have a very porous border and if the Nepali system does not provide adequate opportunity to Nepali youths — willy-nilly there will be migration,” he said.