SPEECH
BY SHRI K R NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE ACCEPTING THE CREDENTIALS FROM
MR. PETRE MATEESCU, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE OF ROMANIA TO INDIA
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 10, 1997
Excellency,
It gives me great
pleasure to accept your Credentials as the Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of Romania to India.
India has traditionally
enjoyed close and friendly relations with Romania. With the advent of
democracy in Romania, we have witnessed a steady and progressive enhancement
of our bilateral ties to our mutual benefit. Relations between our two
countries have also been marked by regular high level political and parliamentary
contacts. We are aware of the cultural affinities between our two countries
and we particularly appreciate the keen interest of the people of Romania
in Indian culture. Both our countries and societies have emerged richer
as a result of our cultural interaction which provides a firm foundation
for our relations.
Excellency, in a
country of vast dimensions and diversities, the choice made by the people
of India and the Indian leadership to build our society based on the principles
of democracy and secularism has proved to be remarkably successful. Mutual
respect and tolerance for others have been the underlying features of
the ethos of Indian culture and civilization. Our composite culture has
interwoven all ethnic, regional, religious and linguistic streams into
a single nation. India has emerged as a modern state with a mature, democratic
political system and a rapidly growing economy underpinned by scientific
and technological advance.
In the international
sphere, independence of judgement and action constitute important pillars
of our foreign policy. We remain firmly committed to Nonalignment and
peaceful coexistence among nations. We shall continue to work as an active
member of the international community for the emergence of a new and just
world order based on peace and disarmament.
Excellency, it is
with friendly interest and admiration that we have observed Romania's
transition to a market economy and a multi-party democratic political
system. This has brought us closer together in terms of shared values,
perspectives and orientation. India too has pursued over the last few
years a programme of economic reforms, deregulation and liberalisation,
which has put the Indian economy on a path of sustained, high economic
growth. The economic changes in our respective countries have opened new
vistas for our bilateral relations. I am confident that our two countries
would fully exploit these developments with a view to adding even greater
content to our bilateral cooperation.
It is particularly
heartening that His Excellency President Constantinescu would be paying
a State Visit to India later this month. I am convinced that the visit
would impart a fresh impetus to the development of our close and friendly
ties. A warm welcome awaits him in India.
Excellency, I am
confident that your efforts while in India would contribute to an enhancement
of our bilateral ties in diverse spheres. I would like to assure you of
the full cooperation and support of the Government of India in the discharge
of your important responsibilities. While wishing you a pleasant and successful
stay in India, I would like to convey through you, my best wishes for
the health and happiness of His Excellency President Constantinescu and
for the prosperity and well being of the friendly people of Romania.
Thank you
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