SPEECH
BY SHRI K.R.NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE RECEIVING CREDENTIALS FROM MR. MOSES MUSONDA,
HIGH COMMISSIONER-DESIGNATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 14, 2001
Excellency,
It is
with great pleasure that I welcome you today as the new High Commissioner
of the Republic of Zambia to India. We are grateful that your Government
has chosen a person of great erudition and experience to represent your
great country.
Relations
between India and Zambia can be traced back to many decades to pre-independence
era. We share common goals of social development and economic prosperity
of the peoples of our two countries. We also share a common perception
and a vision of the New World Order in achieving these goals of development.
I am
pleased to note that bilateral relations between India and Zambia have
grown from strength to strength in several fields. However, there is a
great potential to improve these many-faceted areas of co-operation between
our countries. As you rightly pointed out, Information Technology is one
area where India excels and we would gladly share our expertise and experience
with Zambia under the Indian Technical and Economic Co-operation (ITEC)
Programme. There are several other areas such as agriculture, small scale
industries, power projects, telecommunications etc., where we could work
together for the mutual benefit of our two countries.
I am
happy to learn that Zambia with her strategic location could be a gateway
to the African continent by offering easy access to the huge market of
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) states. It is thus
significant that a Memorandum of Understanding is about to be signed by
India with COMESA. Both our countries need to look at fresh avenues for
intensifying trade relations, transfer of technical assistance and Indian
investments in resource based industries such as basic metals, copper,
gem-stones, textiles, cement, timber etc.
I would
like to offer my warm appreciation of the important role Zambia plays
in regional peace making efforts with special reference to President Chiluba’s
role as mediator in Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo conflicts.
Zambia also shines as an example of a developing country which has made
a significant contribution in peacekeeping efforts of the United Nations
in Sierra Leone.
I wish
Your Excellency an enjoyable and productive term of office in India. I
take this opportunity to extend my Government’s fullest cooperation to
your efforts to further cement the time-tested friendship between our
two countries. I also take this opportunity to convey my warmest greetings
to His Excellency Dr. Frederick Jacob Titus Chiluba, President of Zambia
and the friendly people of Zambia.
Thank you
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