SPEECH
BY SHRI K.R.NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE ACCEPTING
THE CREDENTIALS FROM MR. ULADZIMIR A. SAKALOUSKI, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE
OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS TO INDIA
NEW DELHI, JUNE 1, 1998
Excellency,
I have great pleasure
in accepting your Credentials as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the Republic of Belarus to India and in welcoming you to my country.
Please accept my sincere congratulations on your appointment to this position
of high responsibility. Your appointment is particularly significant as
you are the first Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to India. I wish
you every success in your endeavour to further consolidate Indo-Belarusian
friendship and cooperation.
Relations between
India and Belarus have always been extremely cordial and friendly. Our
links have traditionally been marked by genuine warmth and affection between
our peoples. Exchanges of cultural troupes, artists and scientists have
not only helped foster a people-to-people relationship but have also given
us confidence that our relations are built on firm foundations.
Excellency, India
recognized Belarus immediately after the declaration of its independence
in December 1991. In an act reflective of the importance which we attach
to our relations with Belarus, India opened its mission in Minsk soon
thereafter. We believe that we have a common interest in promoting even
closer bilateral ties. It is with satisfaction that I recall the landmark
visit to India by His Excellency President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in September
last year, which imparted a very significant impetus to our friendly relations.
I am confident that with the opening of the Embassy of Belarus in New
Delhi, our ties will further strengthen and diversify to mutual benefit
in the years to come.
India and Belarus
share many common values and beliefs. Committed to the ideals of peace
and non-violence, we have identical views on most international issues.
We look forward to maintaining our close cooperation with Belarus at international
fora, including the United Nations.
As a new international
order emerges, it is important for the world community to ensure that
such an order is just, equitable, democratic and representative of the
needs and concerns of all nations, and is based on full respect for the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of States. These attributes alone
will ensure its permanence. It is only through concerted efforts in the
pursuit of these goals that we will be able to ensure that the new international
order truly meets the needs and aspirations of every member of the international
community of nations.
Excellency, may I
assure you that the Government of India will always extend its full cooperation
to you on all issues concerning our bilateral relations. I wish you a
happy, successful and memorable stay in India. I also take this opportunity
to convey through you, my best wishes for the health and happiness of
His Excellency President Lukashenka and for the prosperity and well-being
of the friendly people of Belarus.
Thank you
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