SPEECH
BY SHRI K.R.NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE ACCEPTING CREDENTIALS FROM MR. YANNIS ALEXIS
ZEPOS, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE OF GREECE TO INDIA
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 6, 1997
Excellency,
I have great pleasure
in accepting the letter from the President of the Hellenic Republic of
Greece, H.E. Mr. Constantinos Stephanopoulos accrediting you as Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of India. May I request
you to convey to your President my sincere thanks for his warm greetings
which I heartily reciprocate.
I am happy to welcome
you to India at a most auspicious moment in our history when we are celebrating
the fiftieth anniversary of India's independence.
As ancient civilizations,
India and Greece have contributed immensely to the growth of human knowledge,
culture, philosophy, arts and literature. Our societies have been enriched
by their close interaction for over two millenia. Both countries are deeply
committed to democratic way of life. It is only natural, that relations
between India and Greece are excellent and free from any bilateral problems.
Mr. Ambassador,
you will have many opportunities to travel around the length and breadth
of India and witness the economic, industrial, scientific and technological
advances made during the last fifty years. Since 1991, our economic reforms
and restructuring programme has opened up immense new opportunities for
partnership and cooperation. The challenge in our bilateral relations is
to match the close political and cultural links between our two countries
with more intensive economic and commercial ties.
Mr. Ambassador,
I wish you every success in your assignment and would like to assure you
of the fullest cooperation of the Government of India in your endeavours
to deepen and strengthen bilateral relations. I would like to take this
opportunity to convey to you and your family my best wishes for a pleasant
and memorable stay in India.
Thank you
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