SPEECH BY SHRI K.R.NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE RECEIVING CREDENTIALS FROM MR. GLEN LINDHOLM, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 11, 2001

Excellency,

I have great pleasure in welcoming you to India and accepting the Letter of Credence from Her Excellency Mrs. Tarja Halonen, President of the Republic of Finland accrediting you as the new Ambassador of Finland to India.

India and Finland share a commitment to rule of law, human rights and freedom, tolerance and plurality which underpin our society and polity. Our two countries also understand that democracy and social and economic development are inextricably linked to political security concerns in today’s world.

The relations between India and Finland have been warm and friendly, nurtured by regular interaction at the ministerial and official levels between our two countries which has enabled us to exchange views on various issues of mutual concern in the bilateral, regional and multilateral area. The visit of the Finnish President H.E. Mr. Marti Ahtisaari in 1996 was an important event as it helped to carry forward our friendship to a qualitatively higher level. The forthcoming visit of the Foreign Minister of Finland to India will provide an opportunity to further strengthen our political and economic ties.

Excellency, Finland is an important and influential partner for India within the European Union and the Nordic Council. We greatly value our relationship with the European community, which was institutionalized with the first India-EU Summit held in Lisbon in June last year. With the second India-EU Summit held recently in New Delhi in November 2001, we have institutionalized the annual Summit level interaction. There is a common desire and a shared conviction on both sides to strengthen our strategic partnership in the 21^st century.

Excellency, following the terrorist attacks on September 11, a new menace has emerged for the peace and security of the world, changing the traditional concept of power itself. In today’s world, distance and time do not provide insulation from the reach of terrorism. Linkages to illicit trafficking drugs, small arms and money laundering on a global scale have increased the destructive capacity of terrorism threatening the very fabric of open and democratic societies like ours. India is committed to complete cooperation in the worldwide alliance against terrorism and looks forward to close co-operation with Finland for an early finalisation of the Indian draft for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism under consideration in the United Nations.

Excellency, the developments in Afghanistan have an impact on regional peace and stability. Apart from the ongoing political process on the future government in Afghanistan, the focus of the international community would be on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of a war-torn country. As part of our contribution to the long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation of Afghanistan, we have announced a line of credit of approximately US $ 100 million for Afghanistan. India is among the first few countries to have opened a Liaison Office in Kabul.

Excellency, I wish you a successful and pleasant tenure in India. I also assure you of the fullest cooperation of my government in the performance of your duties.

Thank you