SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT WHILE RECEIVING CREDENTIALS FROM MR. MICHAEL STERNBERG, AMBASSADOR- DESIGNATE OF THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 16, 2001
Excellency,
I have
great pleasure in welcoming you to India and accepting the letters of
credence from Her Majesty Queen Margrethe accrediting you as the new Ambassador
of Denmark to India. I warmly welcome you to India and extend my felicitations
on your appointment to this important position.
Relations
between India and Denmark are historical and can be traced back to 17th century when Denmark set up its trading posts at Tranquebar in Thanjavur
District in Tamil Nadu and Seerampore in West Bengal. Since then, continued
interaction between our two countries and the peoples has led to better
understanding of each other’s cultures.
Our
cordial relations are based on the common pillars of respect for democratic
values and institutions, rule of law with an independent judiciary and
a free press, while our bilateral ties are marked by regular political
contacts at all levels. The visit of our External Affairs Minister to
Copenhagen in April this year provided an opportunity for a very useful
exchange of views on a wide range of issues of bilateral and international
concern. I am confident the momentum provided by this visit will be sustained
in the future. We look forward to receiving Your Crown Prince in India
in the near future.
Denmark
would be taking over the Presidency of the EU in July next year at an
extremely significant juncture. With the launching of the Euro in January
2002 and the step toward Common Security and Foreign Policy, Europe has
taken major strides in becoming a major power to reckon within the world.
Our relationship with the EU was institutionalised with the first India-EU
Summit held in Lisbon in June last year. The second Summit will take place
in New Delhi on 23 November 2001. We are looking forward to finalising
dates for the third India-EU Summit in Copenhagen during the Danish Presidency
of the EU in the second half of 2002. While providing an occasion to strengthen
our strategic partnership with the EU the event would also serve to consolidate
our bilateral relationship.
Bilateral
trade and economic ties between our two countries have grown in recent
years though there is considerable scope for further expansion. Simultaneously,
there is also need to explore possibilities of greater cooperation in
such areas as information technology, mobile telephony, windmills, biotechnology
and pharmaceuticals. Regular exchange of business delegations would go
a long way in cementing these relations.
Excellency,
the terrorist attacks in United States of September 11, 2001 have dramatically
underscored the fact that terrorism is a global menace transcending borders
and regions. For over two decades India has waged a struggle against terrorism,
particularly cross-border terrorism. We feel that in today’s world distance
and time do not provide insulation from the reach of terrorism. Moreover,
the lethal reach and destructive power of terrorism has been enhanced
by linkages to illicit trafficking of drugs, small arms and money laundering
on a global scale. We look forward to cooperating with like minded countries
like yours in the global fight against this scourge of the 21st century. In this context, we hope for Denmark’s support for the early
finalisation of the Indian Draft Comprehensive Convention on International
Terrorism.
Excellency,
we value our relationship with Denmark and hope that we can consolidate
our relationship in the coming years through further initiatives in both
the bilateral and multilateral spheres. I take this opportunity to convey
through you warm greetings and good wishes on behalf of the Government
and people of India and on my own behalf to Her Majesty the Queen, the
Government and the people of Denmark. I wish you a successful and pleasant
tenure in India. I also assure you of the fullest cooperation of my government
in the discharge of your duties.
Thank you
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