SPEECH
BY SHRI K.R.NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE ACCEPTING THE CREDENTIALS
FROM MR. PHAM SY TAM, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE OF SOCIALIST
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM TO INDIA
NEW DELHI, JANUARY,
19, 1998
Excellency,
It gives me great
pleasure to receive from His Excellency Mr. Tran Duc Luong, President
of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam the Letter of Credence, accrediting
you as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic
of Vietnam to the Republic of India. I reciprocate His Excellency's kind
sentiments and would like to extend my warmest regards and best wishes
for His Excellency's health and well-being, as well as for the prosperity
and welfare of the friendly people of Vietnam. I would also like to extend
to you a very warm and cordial welcome to India.
India and Vietnam
have traditionally enjoyed very close and friendly relations. The Cham
people and their monuments in southern and central Vietnam are testimony
to our centuries old cultural and commercial interaction. Our political
bonds were forged during our struggles against colonialism and cemented
by our shared belief in the freedom and sovereignty of nations. We have
great admiration for the people of Vietnam and your country's economic
success. It is a matter of great satisfaction that relations between our
two countries continue to flourish, based as they are on sound principles
of good bilateral relations. The visit to India of your Prime Minister
in March 1997 was a landmark that further strengthened our ties. It is
our earnest hope that in the years to come, our relations will attain
further vibrancy and diversification.
It is heartening
that economic cooperation between our two countries continues to advance.
A number of Indian companies have set up joint ventures in Vietnam in
diverse fields. Trade between the two countries is steadily growing. Regular
meetings of the India-Vietnam Joint Commission play an important catalytic
role in promoting bilateral economic cooperation. There is need to continue
encouraging this process as the economic and commercial cooperation between
our two countries is far below the level commensurate with our close and
friendly political relations. There are a number of complementarities
in our economies which can be utilized through exchange of technologies
which are appropriate for our developmental needs. India pledges its fullest
support and cooperation for Vietnam's economic development.
Excellency, India
and Vietnam have been following similar policies on international and
global issues as partners at various fora representing the interests of
developing countries. We have a number of shared strategic perceptions
and concerns on regional and international developments and should continue
the tradition of close consultations and coordination of our actions in
areas such as UN reforms, South-South Cooperation and negotiations for
creation of new trade and investment regimes which would be compatible
with our aspirations for development. Both our countries can work together
to mobilize closer economic interaction among the countries of the South
in order to promote more equitable global development. Our Full Dialogue
Partnership with ASEAN has added yet another dimension to our existing
close bilateral ties.
Your Excellency,
I appreciate the commitment you have expressed towards strengthening friendship
and cooperation between our two countries. I am sure, with your earnest
efforts you will be able to make a valuable contribution towards enhancing
the multi-faceted cooperation between India and Vietnam. I assure you
of all our cooperation in your endeavour in this regard and wish you a
successful tenure of office and a pleasant and productive stay in India.
Thank you
|
