11.10.2011

H.E. Mr. E. Ahamed Minister of State for External Affairs Government of India At the 10th ACD Ministerial Meeting On 11 October 2011 - Kuwait

Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 Allow me once again to convey my deep and sincere appreciation to His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, for the warm hospitality extended to all of us. The dinner hosted by you, Excellency, last evening was a memorable event and I would like to thank you and your colleagues once again for all the courtesies extended to each one of us.

  Excellencies,

 The fourth session today reflects the rich civilisational heritage, distinctive cultures and the youthful human resources of the ACD member states.   

Through the centuries, India has been identified by the plurality of its culture, the multiplicity of its religions and the diversity of its people.  And, yet, all Indians through the ages have shared certain attitudes, values, ideas and practices.  To us, the ACD member States are a larger canvas of the same picture. We agree that the youth play a very significant role in cultural interaction and would suggest networking of cultural institutions using educational satellites and video conferencing, video tele-teaching and webcasting.   

 As co-prime mover in the field of culture, India is proposing to host the 2nd Senior Officials Meeting on Cultural Cooperation on January 17-18, 2012 and we look forward to your enthusiastic support and participation. 

  Mr. Chairman and dear colleagues,

 India supports both the dimensions of ACD ' 'dialogue' and 'projects'.  The uniqueness of the ACD is its diverse membership, reflected in the multiple areas identified for project cooperation.  India strongly endorses the ACD approach of exploring complementarities amongst its members and finding common opportunities for cooperation and development.

  As we look back at 10 years of cooperation as ACD member States, we would think that ACD is well established as a 'dialogue forum'. We, perhaps, need to give further momentum to the 'project' dimension of ACD for more constructive engagements and partnerships.  I would like to, therefore, suggest that each of the prime movers consider periodically circulating to all the member countries the outcome information on the initiatives undertaken.  We could identify Points of Contact in the Ministries for Foreign Affairs for dissemination of such information.  This would facilitate better coordination amongst member States, from the working-level upwards.

  Mr. Chairman and Excellencies,

 I have been listening keenly to the views expressed by my colleagues in the sessions since yesterday. The ACD Ministerial Meeting is a unique forum, permitting us the opportunity to share our perspectives and plans in almost every aspect that affects the political, security, economic and social dimensions in our countries. On behalf of my country, I would like to extend all support to the objectives and projects of the ACD to further our common pursuit of peace, security and development. My suggestions to make the ACD a more effective forum have been made in this spirit.

 I would like to, once again, extend my sincere thanks to the State of Kuwait for hosting and making excellent arrangements for the 10th ACD Ministerial Meeting.  We also convey our sincere appreciation to the Kingdom of Thailand for its role as Coordinator. We welcome the Republic of Tajikistan as the next ACD host in 2012.

 

 Thank you!

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