SPEECH
BY SHRI K.R. NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE RECEIVING CREDENTIALS FROM THE AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE
OF COLOMBIA TO INDIA
NEW DELHI, MARCH
20, 1998
Excellency,
I have great pleasure
in accepting the Letter of Credence appointing Your Excellency as Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Colombia to the Republic
of India, and in extending to Your Excellency a warm and cordial welcome
to India.
Relations between India
and Colombia are based on mutual respect and friendship. As two countries
with rich historical background and strong cultural traditions, we look
forward with a sense of anticipation as we stand today, on the eve of a
new millennium, facing common challenges and opportunities. The ongoing
tasks of economic transformation, structural change and regional integration
are common to both our countries. Our Governments are committed to the principles
and practice of democracy, to overcoming the obstacles of poverty and ignorance,
and to the realization of our developmental goals.
In a changing world,
marked by the tremendous achievements of new technologies in every field
of development, we must seize the opportunities available to us to intensify
our cooperation in areas of mutual benefit. Our shared commitment to the
goals of the Nonaligned Movement makes our cooperation specially purposive.
It is through the synergy
of mutually beneficial partnership in the bilateral and multilateral spheres
that we can provide a better quality of life for our peoples and enhance
peace and development internationally. This potential must be harnessed.
Our business communities must deal more intensively and fruitfully with
each other to expand and increase the level of economic cooperation and
bilateral trade.
I take this opportunity,
Excellency, to assure you of my Government's full support and cooperation
in the discharge of your duties in India. I am confident that Indo-Colombian
relations will be further strengthened and intensified during your tenure
of duty in New Delhi.
On behalf of the people
of India, and on my own behalf, I wish to convey through Your Excellency
our best wishes for the health and happiness of His Excellency President
Ernesto Samper Pizano, and the continued progress and prosperity of the
friendly Government and people of Colombia.
Thank you
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