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Statement by Foreign Secretary on assumption of office 01/08/2009 I have
before me a complex and yet fascinating assignment. I strongly believe
that our diplomacy and our diplomats play a vital role in promoting the
national interest and safeguarding our national goals of development in
an atmosphere of peace and security. Our diplomats today work with
dedication and professionalism in some of the world's most challenging
environments. Our foreign service counts among the best in the world.
Today, in a rapidly evolving world situation, the task is to further
augment our diplomatic and professional capabilities as we are called
upon to play an even more prominent role in world affairs. This, will be
an important area of focus in my new responsibilities. The foreign
policy interests of our nation encompass a number of areas, which are
both regional and global, and which concern relations with our
neighbours and the world beyond. Economic diplomacy and public diplomacy
are also issues that demand increased attention. We are called upon as
diplomats to deal with a number of these issues, at any one given time,
in a manner that is focused, mature and balanced, that is persuasive and
has vision and long term perspective. This is an absorbing task and I
look forward to it with great hope and optimism. |
