SPEECH BY SHRI K.R.NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE RECEIVING CREDENTIALS FROM MR. JANG
KWANG SON, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF
KOREA
NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2001
Excellency,
It gives
me great pleasure in welcoming you to India as the Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. I also
convey, Excellency, the good wishes of the people and the Government of
India to His Excellency, Mr. Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Worker’s
Party of Korea, Chairman of the National Defence Commission and Supreme
Commander of the Korean People’s Army and to the people of the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea.
India and
the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea share traditional ties of friendship
and a common Asian heritage. There have been numerous contacts between
our two peoples through the centuries and this has enabled the sharing
and mutually reinforcing of our cultural and religious ties. Our peoples
also share a common bond existing out of our respective struggles against
colonialism and imperialism. Both our countries believe in the need to
uphold universal human values, equity and social justice.
India and
the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea have been co-operating with
each other in the United Nations and other international fora including
on the issue of UN Reform. We are both members of the Non-Aligned Movement.
I believe that our interaction and co-operation will be reinforced in
the years to come.
Cultural
exchanges between our two countries are an important dimension of our
bilateral relations. During the last one year, a Bharatnatyam dance troupe
from India participated in the April 2000 Spring Friendship Art Festival
in Pyongyang. An Indian Film Week was organised in Pyongyang from August
17 – 21, 2000 in which six films of different Indian languages were screened.
India also participated in the Seventh Pyongyang Film Festival of Non-Aligned
and Developing Countries from September 12-30, 2000.
The rapid
development of the Indian economy over the last two decades and the process
of economic liberalisation over the last decade have opened up new opportunities
for co-operation between India and the Democratic People’s Republic of
Korea. We must fully utilise these possibilities and further explore new
avenues for the mutual benefit of our two countries.
India welcomes
the recent developments in the Korean peninsula. We felicitate both the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea for the
success of the historic summit at Pyongyang on June 13-15, 2000. We wish
both countries continued success in their efforts to bring about peace,
stability, reconciliation and reunification on the Korean Peninsula. India
has consistently favoured the achievement of the reunification of Korea
through bilateral dialogue and in a peaceful manner.
Excellency,
you are no stranger to India. I am confident that the ties of friendship,
mutual understanding and goodwill enjoyed by India and the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea will be further strengthened during your tenure
in India. I extend to you all necessary co-operation and assistance of
the Government of India in the effective discharge of your responsibilities.
I also wish you success in your assignment and hope that you will have
a pleasant and fruitful stay in India.
Thank you
|
