SPEECH
BY SHRI K.R.NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE RECEIVING CREDENTIALS FROM MR. MOHAMED SAA’D
ALI, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF YEMEN
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 16, 2001
Excellency,
It gives
me great pleasure to extend a most cordial welcome to you and to accept
your accreditation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
the Republic of Yemen to the Republic of India. I would also like to thank
you for conveying the good wishes of His Excellency President Ali Abdula
Saleh, which I sincerely reciprocate. We view with great admiration the
all round progress and the economic prosperity achieved by Yemen under
the sagacious leadership of His Excellency, the President. Yemen’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 Yemen date back to 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 Yemen. History and geographical proximity
have created an enduring affinity and provided the natural setting for
a multi-faceted relationship between our two countries in recent years.
Imperatives of economic co-operation and dialogue have added new dimensions
to the historical ties through high level official contacts, exchange
of visits and increased business interactions.
There
are excellent prospects for building our relations further. We believe,
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 Yemen’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 giving more practical and meaningful content to our traditional relationship.
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 and professionally fulfilling tenure in India, and every success
in your mission.
In conclusion,
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
President and to the friendly people of the Republic of Yemen.
Thank you
|
