SPEECH BY SHRI K.R. NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE
ACCEPTING THE CREDENTIALS FROM MR. ALEJANDRO ANTONIO GARRIDO
AROSEMENA, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA TO INDIA
NEW DELHI, MAY 15, 2000
It gives
me great pleasure in welcoming you to India as the Ambassador of the Republic
of Panama.
It is
a matter of satisfaction to us that India and Panama share close and cordial
relations and enjoy mutually beneficial co-operation. Our two countries
have been co-operating closely with each other in the United Nations and
other multilateral fora like the Non Aligned Movement and the Group of 77.
Presence of a small yet active Indian community in your country adds a special
flavour to the traditional bond of goodwill and friendship shared by our
two countries.
Despite
the distance that separates our two countries, bilateral commercial and
cultural exchanges have been growing satisfactorily. I am confident that
with the opening of our two economies towards the process of liberalisation
and economic reforms that have been introduced, these ties will be strengthened
further.
India
and Panama cherish the principles of democracy, non-intervention and peaceful
solution of disputes and based on the above principles, our two countries
share a common perception on a number of important international issues,
both inside and outside the United Nations.
I take
this opportunity, Excellency, to assure you of my Government's full co-operation
in the discharge of your duties in India. The enthusiasm expressed by you
in furthering the bilateral relations augurs well for the future of Indo-Panamanian
relations.
I also
avail this opportunity to extend to H.E. President Mrs. Mireya Elisa Moscoso
Rodriguez, and the people of the Republic of Panama 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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