SPEECH
BY SHRI K.R. NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE RECEIVING CREDENTIALS FROM MR. GERARDO MANUEL
BIRITOS, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE OF ARGENTINA TO INDIA
NEW DELHI, MARCH 20, 1998
Excellency,
I have great pleasure
in accepting the Letter of Credence appointing you Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary of the Argentine Republic to the Republic of India,
and in extending to Your Excellency a warm and cordial welcome to India.
Relations between India
and Argentina are based on mutual respect and friendship. I fully endorse
the views you have expressed that our two countries have been brought together
by our shared ideals and aspirations. India and Argentina have also enjoyed
close collaboration in various international fora in the cause of world
peace and development.
We have noted with admiration
the achievements of the bold and pragmatic economic policy being pursued
by President Carlos S. Menem. We are glad to see that Argentina has registered
steady progress towards raising the level of economic and social development
of its people, in spite of the adverse impact of the Mexican crisis in 1995.
I take this opportunity to express our sincere wishes for further success
of the Government and people of Argentina.
India and Argentina have
enjoyed close cultural relationship. The visit of Rabindranath Tagore to
Argentina in 1924 and his association with Victoria Ocampo laid the foundation
for the ever-increasing cultural ties between our two countries.
Of late, there has been
an increased tempo of interaction between our two countries, particularly
in trade and economic fields. Our respective policies of liberalization
have opened up many new possibilities. The result is a significant growth
of bilateral trade and techno-economic collaboration.
I take this opportunity,
Excellency, to assure you of my Government's full support and cooperation.
I am confident that Indo-Argentina relations will be further strengthened
and intensified during your tenure of duty in India. On behalf of the people
of India, and on my own part, I wish to convey through Your Excellency,
our best wishes for the health and happiness of His Excellency, President
Carlos S. Menem, and the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly
Government and people of Argentina.
I wish Your Excellency
all success in your new assignment.
Thank you
|
