SPEECH
BY SHRI K.R. NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE ACCEPTING
CREDENTIALS FROM MR. L.O. AMAYO, HIGH COMMISSIONER-DESIGNATE
OF KENYA TO INDIA
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 27, 1999
Excellency,
It gives me great pleasure
to receive and welcome you on your appointment as the new High Commissioner
of Kenya to India. The friendship and cordiality that has developed between
our country and yours at all levels over the past many years is a true and
shining example of South-South Cooperation. India and Kenya are partners
in progress. We work hand in hand; we share a common ocean and have common
ideas and aspirations. We are confident that this bond would be strengthened
by your appointment.
We live in a world that
is changing very rapidly, and each country has to adjust to these changes.
I am particularly happy to note that the friendship and co-operation between
India and Kenya has endured, because it is based on the solid foundations
of mutual respect and equality. Both our countries continue to co-operate
closely at the international levels. I am sure that, working together, both
our countries could endeavour to bring about a more just World Order.
Excellency, on the bilateral
front we have had excellent co-operation in many variegated issues of common
interests. Indo-Kenyan trade relations have grown in recent years. While
we can draw some satisfaction from the growth, we have to work jointly to
adequately address the issue of trade imbalance. It is a matter of satisfaction
that India in its trade and technology promotion efforts in Kenya held a
'Made in India' show in 1996 and followed it up by the 'India Tech' display
in September last year. The Third meeting of the India-Kenya Joint Trade
Committee and the fifth Indo-Kenyan Joint Business Council was held in New
Delhi last year. We are confident that in the coming years, as the economies
of the two countries grow and diversify, it would be feasible to increase
trade and investment flows. There are other areas emerging of promise. These
include co-operation in Investment, Tourism, Health, Agriculture, Tele-communications,
Information Technology and Defence.
However, the full potential
of our mutually beneficial relationship is yet to be realized. We need to
work towards that goal through renewed and imaginative efforts. High level
visits at the political level will, we are confident, help to further consolidate
our growing relations. In this context, we are specially looking forward
to the forthcoming visit to India of H.E. President Daniel arap Moi and
of Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Bonaya A. Godana.
I am sure that with your
appointment, we will be able to further enrich and strengthen our bilateral
relations, diversifying into new areas, and taking up new challenges. I
want to assure Your Excellency of our full support and cooperation to you
in your endeavours to deepen India-Kenya bilateral relations and friendship.
Excellency, I once again
welcome you to India and wish you a very productive, fruitful and enjoyable
tenure. I wish to convey through you, Mr. High Commissioner, on behalf of
the Government and the people of India, and on my own behalf, warm and cordial
greetings to His Excellency Mr. Daniel T. arap Moi, the President of the
Republic of Kenya and to the friendly people of Kenya.
Thank you
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