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International Affairs
SPEECH BY SHRI K. R. NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE ACCEPTING CREDENTIALS FROM MR. TRULS HANEVOLD, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE OF THE KINGDOM OF NORWAY TO INDIA

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 27, 1999

Excellency,

I have great pleasure in accepting the Letter of Credence from His Majesty King Harald V of Norway accrediting you as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Norway to India. May I request you to transmit to His Majesty my sincere thanks for his good wishes and greetings which I heartily reciprocate.

Relations between India and Norway have developed and prospered on the basis of shared values and principles. Both our countries are firmly committed to democracy, human rights, responsible governance, freedom of speech and the rule of law as well as to the promotion of international peace. These commonalities have, over the years, enabled us to build a relationship, both bilaterally and in multilateral fora, based on mutual trust, goodwill and cooperation. I am confident that India and Norway will continue to work together to further expand and enrich the existing mutually beneficial cooperation.

We have had important Parliamentary exchanges between our two countries in recent years which have contributed to better understanding between both countries. We will be happy to further encourage the exchange of high level visits between the two countries. I welcome the high-level political consultations that have just taken place between our two countries.

Excellency, we attach considerable importance to the further development of our bilateral economic relationship. The existing levels of trade and commercial exchanges between our two countries are yet to reach the potential which exists. The Indian economy has registered annual growth rates between 5 and 7%, during the last decade. The Government has also taken a number of steps to promote foreign direct investment, particularly in infrastructure development. We are aware of Norwegian expertise in a number of areas of interest to us and would look forward to further enhancing mutually beneficial linkages between our two countries.

We are today living in a world in which effective action for dealing with many of the challenges which confront us, has to be based on global partnership. India and Norway are both, as you mentioned, committed to promoting peace, security and well being in the international community. It is therefore, natural that we should consult each other on issues of global importance and to the extent possible, also coordinate our actions. We would, Excellency, look forward to greater exchanges on such issues between our two countries.

Excellency, I would like to assure you that in your personal endeavours to reinforce ties between India and Norway, you will receive the fullest cooperation of my Government. I am confident that during your tenure, bilateral and mutually beneficial cooperation between our two countries will be carried forward.

Thank you

Jai Hind
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