SPEECH
BY SHRI K.R.NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE RECEIVING CREDENTIALS FROM DR. KRZYSZTOF IGNACY
MAJKA, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND
NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 11, 2001
Excellency,
It gives
me great pleasure to accept your Credentials as the Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Poland to India. I warmly welcome
you to my country and extend my sincere felicitations on your appointment
to this position of high responsibility and trust. You are no stranger
to India having studied at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and
served as Consul of Poland in Mumbai. We are happy to have you a third
time in India, this time as the Ambassador of your country.
India
and Poland have traditionally shared close and friendly relations. In
fact, these relations predate the establishment of diplomatic relations
which have been sustained by the warmth and affection between our two
peoples. Cultural and academic personalities of our two countries have
ensured that though geographically apart, India and Poland have a high
degree of mutual understanding and respect.
Excellency,
India is a land of vast diversities strung together by a composite culture
and a uniquely Indian way of life. Unity in diversity remains even today
the central theme of Indian civilisation as it has been over the millennia
of our existence. Respect and tolerance of others have contributed to
the enrichment of our culture and civilization. Political pluralism and
democracy, were, therefore in a sense, natural choices of the leaders
of our freedom struggle. We cherish the principles adopted by the founding
fathers of modern India and remain unwavering in our adherence to them.
It is
with admiration that we have observed the Polish Republic’s smooth and
peaceful transition to a vibrant, multiparty democracy. The recently concluded
general elections in Poland once again underlined that Poland has progressed
far on the road of democracy. The principles of democracy and constitutionalism
have thus introduced an additional element of commonality between our
two countries and brought us closer together in terms of basic values
and orientation. It was natural that our Minister of External Affairs
co-chaired the international conference "Towards a Community of Democracies"
in Warsaw in June 2000.
Over
the last one decade, Poland has witnessed sweeping economic changes and
has transited to a market oriented economy in the advanced stage to join
the European Union. India too has pursued over this decade a programme
of economic reforms, deregulation and liberalization, which have put the
Indian economy on the path of sustained, high economic growth. The economic
changes in our respective countries have opened new avenues for our bilateral
cooperation. These opportunities must be used to build upon, diversify
and expand our established economic links. Our bilateral trade, which
stood at merely US $ 188 million in 2000, needs to be expanded and diversified.
On our part, we remain committed to developing multi-faceted and mutually
beneficial relations with Poland and stand ready to support every initiative
which would promote commercial and economic interaction between our two
countries. Our Prime Minister has also invited your Prime Minister to
visit India. We hope this visit will give a boost to our bilateral relations
in all fields.
International
terrorism today poses the most serious threat to peace and stability in
the world. We in India appreciate the leadership of President Aleksander
Kwasniewski in organising the conference on combating terrorism in Warsaw
on November 6, 2001 and I personally thank the President for writing to
me about the outcome of this important conference. India has long suffered
from terrorism and stands ready to cooperate with the international community,
including Poland, to fight this menace.
Excellency,
may I assure you that the Government of India is ready to extend its full
cooperation to you on all issues concerning our bilateral relations. I
wish you a pleasant, fruitful and memorable stay in India. I also take
this opportunity to convey through you my best wishes for the health and
happiness of His Excellency President Aleksander Kwasniewski and for the
prosperity and well-being of the friendly people of Poland.
Thank you
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