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International Affairs
SPEECH BY SHRI K R NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE ACCEPTING THE CREDENTIALS FROM DR. BHEKH BAHADUR THAPA, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE OF THE KINGDOM OF NEPAL TO INDIA

NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 17, 1997

Excellency,

It gives me pleasure to welcome you as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Nepal to India. Your considerable experience in diplomacy and distinguished academic background in economic affairs at both national and international levels will, I have no doubt, be valuable assets to you in the discharge of your responsibilities.

India deeply values its relations with Nepal. Our two countries enjoy a very close and friendly relationship, based on shared historical, cultural and social traditions. It is characterized by a remarkably rich, wide-ranging and multi-faceted interaction in a diversity of fields. The underpinning of our relationship is, of course, our geographical proximity, which serves to impart even greater depth and dynamism to it. The evolution of a democratic system of governance in your country has, indeed, served to reinforce these cherished values further. If the relationship between our two countries is unique in many ways, it is not only on account of the factors I have referred to but equally because we have chosen consciously to keep it that way and to strive constantly towards raising it to its fullest potential for our mutual benefit.

The frequency of high level visits between our two countries in the recent past has provided an impetus and momentum to the present environment of mutual trust and cooperation that we enjoy bilaterally. They have served to foster confidence and trust in State-to-State relations. Each visit has been a milestone in our joint progress.

Several noteworthy initiatives taken by our two Governments recently have served to further our common aim. The Mahakali River Treaty, by way of example, represents a significant step in our joint efforts to harness the vast natural resources at our disposal to the advantage of both our countries. A liberalised trade and transit regime has provided avenues for maximising the benefits of economic growth for the welfare of our peoples.

Our two countries are also cooperating within the framework of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and both are committed to strengthening it for the mutual benefit of all its members.

Your efforts, Excellency, and ours are aimed at creating an environment in which the peoples of our two countries can enjoy the fruits of prosperity and everlasting peace and friendship. If our endeavours can contribute to the realisation of these objectives, we could wish for no greater reward.

I request your Excellency to convey my warm greetings and felicitations to His Majesty, the King of Nepal. I am looking forward to meeting His Majesty on his forthcoming visit to India. On behalf of the people and Government of India, I would also like to extend through you, our best wishes to the people and Government of Nepal. May the close and friendly ties between our two countries grow and be further strengthened during your tenure in India. I wish you success, and would like to assure you of the full support of the Government of India in this task.

Thank you

Jai Hind
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