SPEECH
BY SHRI K.R. NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE ACCEPTING THE CREDENTIALS
FROM MR. VALENTYN V. ADOMAITIS, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE OF
UKRAINE TO INDIA
NEW DELHI, THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1998
Excellency,
It gives me great pleasure
to accept your credentials as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of Ukraine to India. I welcome you to India and extend my sincere congratulations
on your appointment to this position of high responsibility.
Relations between India
and Ukraine have traditionally been cordial and friendly as it is based
on firm foundations. The considerable interest amongst the people of Ukraine
in Indian philosophy, languages, literature, religion, yoga and cinema,
has helped foster a people-to-people relationship. Ukraine is an important
trading partner for India and the full potential of our economic relationship
is still to be achieved. There is a sizeable Indian student community in
Ukraine, learning important skills and technologies and also helping to
cement our friendly relations.
Excellency, India recognized
Ukraine immediately after the declaration of its independence in December
1991 and the Indian Embassy in Kiev was opened soon thereafter. There have
been a number of high-level bilateral exchanges since then, which have contributed
to a better understanding of each others' interest and concerns. Our relations
have been guided by the principles of equality and mutual respect enunciated
in the landmark Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in March 1992
between our two countries. Our cooperation in the fields of trade and economy,
culture, science and technology, is progressing satisfactorily.
Excellency, India is
the largest democracy in the world and has a pluralistic and multifaceted
society. The transition of Ukraine to a multi-party democracy has brought
us closer together in terms of basic values and aspirations. We welcome
the continuing consolidation of democracy in Ukraine.
We have followed with
friendly interest the economic reforms undertaken by Ukraine in an effort
to invigorate its economy. India, too, has pursued a programme of economic
liberalization and the Indian economy is on a path of sustained growth.
Economic changes in our respective countries bring forth new opportunities
which need to be exploited to mutual benefit.
Excellency, seven years
after the end of the Cold War, a new international order is still evolving.
It is important to ensure that this new order is just, equitable, democratic,
and based on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
As a responsible member of the international community, India is ready to
make a positive contribution towards the realisation of such an order. I
sincerely hope that India and Ukraine can cooperate and make concerted efforts
at international fora in the pursuit of this goal.
In order to deepen and
strengthen our bilateral relations and to widen our friendly cooperation
in international fora, we look forward to the visit to India of His Excellency
Mr. Leonid Kuchma, the President of Ukraine.
Excellency, I would like
to assure you that the Government of India will be forthcoming in extending
to you its full cooperation on all issues concerning our bilateral relations.
I wish you a happy and productive stay in India. I also take this opportunity
to convey through you, my best wishes for the health and happiness of His
Excellency President Leonid Kuchma and for the prosperity and well-being
of the friendly people of Ukraine.
Thank you
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