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International Affairs
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

Jai Hind
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