SPEECH
BY SHRI K R NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE ACCEPTING THE CREDENTIALS
FROM MR. A. RAHMAN NASSER ALOHALY, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE
OF THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA TO INDIA
NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 3, 1997
Excellecncy,
It gives me great
pleasure to extend to you a very cordial welcome and to accept your accreditation
as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia to the Republic of India. I would like to thank you for conveying
the good wishes of the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. May
I request you to convey greetings, warm regards and good wishes on behalf
of the Government and people of India and on my own behalf to the Custodian
of the two Holy Mosques, and to the friendly people of the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia. We view with great admiration the all round progress and
the economic prosperity achieved by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under
the sagacious leadership of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques. Saudi
Arabia's abiding commitment to its traditional values while adjusting
to the changing requirements of the present day is truly praise worthy.
India's relations
with Saudi Arabia date back several centuries. There is a long history
of friendship, economic exchanges and people to people contacts between
the two countries. Historians recount in some detail the story of trade
between the west coast of India and the region of present day Saudi Arabia
and the Gulf. History and geographical proximity have created an enduring
affinity and have provided the natural setting for a multi-faceted relationship
between our two countries in recent years. Imperatives of economic cooperation
and dialogue have added new dimensions to the traditional ties through
high level official contacts, exchange of visits and increased business
interaction.
Excellency, given
the inherent potential and complementarities of the two economies, there
is great scope for improving and enhancing bilateral trade and for strengthening
economic co-operation. In particular the dynamic growth of Saudi Arabia's
economy coupled with the very encouraging results achieved in our own
programme of economic liberalisation and reform, and the progressive globalisation
of the Indian economy, have created substantial new opportunities for
imparting more vigour and meaningful content to our traditional relationship.
We also hope that the Bilateral Investment and Protection Agreement, which
is under discussion between the two countries, will be concluded in the
near future.
India and Saudi Arabia
are bound by a number of common values and perceptions. India shares with
Saudi Arabia a deep concern for peace and security in the Gulf and for
safeguarding the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of
the countries in the region. India is also concerned at the emerging threats
to political, social and economic stability of the countries in the region,
posed by the growth of terrorism and extremism. We would like to cooperate
in arresting this trend. Both India and Saudi Arabia are members of the
Nonaligned Movement. We are also ready for interaction with the Gulf Co-operation
Council, whose members host 2.5 million Indians and account for nearly
1/8th of India's foreign trade. We deeply appreciate the fact that the
Kingdom has given opportunities to the 1.3 million strong Indian community
to play a role in its economic development.
Excellency, I am
confident that with your wide-ranging experience, you will effectively
contribute to the growth of our bilateral relations. I would like to assure
you that in your endeavour to further strengthen the friendship, goodwill
and understanding between our two countries, you will receive the fullest
co-operation of the Government of India. I wish you and your family a
pleasant, interesting and fruitful tenure in India, and every success
in your mission.
Thank you
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