SPEECH BY SHRI K. R. NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE
ACCEPTING THE CREDENTIALS FROM MR. CHAS N. MIJNALS, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE
OF THE REPUBLIC OF SURINAME TO INDIA
NEW DELHI, MAY 15, 2000
Excellency,
It gives
me great pleasure in accepting Your Excellency's Letter of Credence as Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Suriname to India,
and in extending to Your Excellency a warm welcome to India.
Relations
between India and Suriname are cordial and friendly. The two countries have
also enjoyed close cooperation in various international fora. The presence
of a considerable number of people of Indian origin in Suriname is another
important feature of our relationship. Moreover, both countries are keen
to cement and diversify the already existing cooperative relationship. The
opening of a Resident Mission of Suriname in New Delhi and your arrival
here as the first Resident Ambassador of Suriname to India are the natural
manifestations of this mutually shared objective.
Excellency,
as you have rightly pointed out, the common colonial legacy and similar
perceptions of our two countries on a number of important international
issues, would make our bonds of friendship that much stronger and will allow
us to work together both at the United Nations and other multilateral fora.
In spite
of the geographical distance between us, our bilateral co-operation and
cultural exchanges have been a matter of satisfaction to us especially because
as Your Excellency has pointed out, one-third of the population of Suriname
is of Indian descent. The last meeting of the Indo-Suriname Joint Commission
in April, 1999 gave us the opportunity to review our co-operation in different
fields as well as to chalk out fresh initiatives to widen them. Excellency,
I am sure that both countries would strive to implement the decisions taken
in that meeting so that our relationship attains its true potential. As
you are aware, Excellency, India has always tried to identify with and extend
assistance to developing countries and it was in this true spirit of South-South
Co-operation that the decision was taken to extend a credit-line to Suriname.
On this subject, Excellency, I would like to assure you that the Indian
authorities are waiting for concrete project proposals from your Government
so that the final agreement on the extension of credit can be signed.
I take
this opportunity, Excellency, to assure you of my Government's full co-operation
in the discharge of your duties in India. From the words of enthusiasm and
commitment, you yourself have expressed, I am confident that Indo-Surinamese
relations is assured a bright future.
I also
avail this opportunity to extend to H.E. President Jules Albert Wijdenbosch
and the people of the Republic of Suriname most cordial and friendly greetings
on my own behalf as well as on behalf of the Government and the people of
India.
Finally,
Excellency, I would like to convey to you my best wishes for a successful
tenure in India and for your personal happiness and well being.
Thank you
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