SPEECH
BY SHRI K.R. NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE ACCEPTING
CREDENTIALS FROM MRS. MARIA CLARA BETANCUR, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE
OF COLOMBIA TO INDIA
NEW DELHI, MAY 7,
1999
Excellency,
I have
great pleasure in accepting your Excellency's Letter of Credence 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 friendship and mutual respect.
As you rightly said, Excellency, our countries share a lot of commonalities
in the form of our rich cultural traditions, our unwavering commitment
to the UN Charter and our steadfast adherence to the time tested principles
of self-reliance, as proclaimed by our membership of the NAM. Strong attachment
to democratic principles and the endeavours of our Governments to overcome
the obstacles in the path of development in realising the legitimate aspirations
of our people unite us in our journey to the next millennium.
Excellency,
you have pointed out some of the areas of potential co-operation between
our two countries. India has always been open to share its experiences
with friendly countries in achieving a better quality of life for our
people and for promoting international peace and development. We believe
that scientific and technological developments are meaningless, if they
are not utilised to bring in economic betterment of the whole society.
The fast changing world has thrown up opportunities in almost every field
and we must seize them to intensify our co-operation in areas of mutual
benefit in the true spirit of South-South co-operation.
The
potential of our economies should be fully utilised and we must encourage
our business communities to deal more intensively with each other to expand
and increase the level of economic co-operation in bilateral trade. The
complementarities existing between our countries must be fully taken advantage
of for our collective self-advancement.
Excellency,
I am confident that Indo-Colombian relations will be further strengthened
and intensified during your tenure in New Delhi. We in India remember
with great reverence the role played by your distinguished father in furthering
the cause of peace and development. I have no doubt that you have been
inspired by his striking qualities of leadership and selfless service.
Excellency, we are happy to see that our cultural relations will receive
due attention under your stewardship, considering specially the pronounced
interest of your daughter in Indian art forms.
I take
this opportunity, Excellency, to assure you my Government's full support
and co-operation in the discharge of your duties in India. On behalf of
the people of India, and on my own behalf, I would like to convey through
Your Excellency, our best wishes for the health and happiness of His Excellency
President Andres Pastrana and for the continued progress and prosperity
of the friendly people of Colombia.
Thank you
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