SPEECH BY SHRI K.R. NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE ACCEPTING THE CREDENTIALS FROM
MR. ARMEN BAIBOURTIAN, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE OF THE REPUBLIC
OF ARMENIA TO INDIA
NEW DELHI, MAY 15, 2000
Excellency,
It gives
me great pleasure to accept your credentials as the Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to India. I warmly welcome
you to India and extend my felicitations on your appointment to this important
position.
India's
relations with the Republic of Armenia have traditionally been close, warm
and friendly. Our relations stretch back in time. Armenian traders had made
India their home some 12 centuries ago. With the passage of time, we saw
more Armenians - traders, literary figures and men of culture and arts visit
India. We are particularly pleased that the first Armenian journal to be
published anywhere, "Azdarar", was brought out in India by the Armenian
priest, Shoumyan in Madras in 1794. Since then, institutions dealing with
Armenia in the areas of literature, culture and religion had continued to
have a base in India. In recent times, the then Prime Minister of India,
Smt. Indira Gandhi, visited Yerevan in 1976.
Excellency,
Indo-Armenian relations have moved ahead since the recognition of an independent
Armenia by India in December 1991. We opened our Resident Mission in Yerevan
in March 1999 which was followed by the arrival of our first resident Ambassador
in October 1999. Armenia opened its Embassy in New Delhi in October 1999
which has culminated in your arrival as the first resident Ambassador to
India. Thus your role and responsibility assumes that added significance.
Our bilateral
co-operation today, even though modest, is multi-faceted and covers economic,
commercial, scientific, technological and cultural spheres. The visit of
the then President Levon Ter-Petrossian in December 1995 was important to
impart the necessary momentum to our bilateral relations. The coordinates
of our bilateral relations were adumbrated in the Treaty of Friendship and
Co-operation which was signed during the 1995 Presidential visit. Since
then, there have been other visits from Armenia. We hope to organise visits
at Ministerial and other levels from India also during the course of this
year.
Excellency,
India is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the creation of its Republic
and the adoption of its Constitution this year. We remain firmly committed
to the principles of democracy and secularism. We are happy to note that
the democratic foundations in Armenia have taken firm roots. Our common
beliefs in democracy and economic reforms constitute an important pillar
in the development of our bilateral co-operation.
The market
reforms and the economic restructuring undertaken in Armenia provide ample
opportunities for the growth of our bilateral commercial and economic relations,
which have institutionalised through the Indo-Armenian Joint Commission.
Armenian strength in the computer and electronic systems and India's advancement
in the area of Information Technology should allow us to forge co-operation
in this sphere and also other newer areas.
Excellency,
India's foreign policy has been based on continuity with a commitment to
secure its rightful place in the community of nations. Both our countries
share a similarity of views on most issues of common international concern
today. The challenges we face today are immense. Sustained action is called
for from the international community to address the new challenges of international
terrorism, religious extremism, drug trafficking and arms trade. Your country
has been the tragic victim of senseless acts of terrorism. I am confident
that India and Armenia will jointly pursue the objective of confronting
the new threats facing humankind in the 21st century so that we leave a
world which is safer and more secure for the future generations.
Excellency,
we regard you as a good friend of India and as one interested in the cause
of strengthening Indo-Armenian relations. I would like to assure you of
the full co-operation and support of the Government of India on all issues
concerning our bilateral relations. I wish you a very successful and rewarding
stay in India and every success in your endeavours to further promote Indo-Armenian
friendship. I also take this opportunity to convey through you my best wishes
for the continued good health and happiness of His Excellency Mr. Robert
Kocharian, President of the Republic of Armenia, and for the progress and
prosperity of the friendly people of Armenia.
Thank you
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