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Message from His Excellency Mr. Dinesh Bhatia, Charge d’Affaires of India in the State of Kuwait on the occasion of the 59th Anniversary of India’s Republic Day On the auspicious occasion of the 59th anniversary of the Republic Day of India, I take the opportunity to extend my heartiest greetings and good wishes to the members of the Indian community in Kuwait and to all our Kuwaiti friends and well wishers. Going back exactly 25 years in the memory lane, I recall my participation, as part of the scout contingent, in the Republic Day Parade at Rajpath in New Delhi in the year 1984. Life has since changed in all forms, tenor and complexion for me and around my world. However, the Republic Day Parade at Rajpath remains the very same and has retained its charm and grace. I recall having witnessed it in person along with my family two years back in 2007, with unending enthusiasm. This day has a special significance for every Indian, wherever one may be on the globe. No other event throughout the year invokes as much sentiment of patriotism and zeal of being an Indian as the solemn display of India’s sovereign might in this Republic Day Parade at Rajpath. Needless to reiterate that January 26, 1950 is one of the most important dates in Indian history when the Constitution of independent India was promulgated, thus proclaiming India a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic securing all its citizens Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity and Integrity of the Nation. Today, India is the largest democratic republic in the world. India and Indians have marched a long way in the last 62 years of freedom to carve out a special niche in the crowded and shrinking world. The economic and social development is being percolated down to the Indian masses. Yet a lot still needs to be done. I am confident that it is not far when the lowest strata of Indian society will be able to reap the fruits of richness of our country – in all aspects. Despite the global economic downturn, the fundamentals of Indian economy continue to remain strong. We expect to achieve a growth rate of about 7% during the current fiscal, which will be among the highest in the world. Much of India’s growth is internally driven and a strong pace of growth in the coming years is expected to be maintained. While the global downturn is continuing, let me also add that India’s economy has proven to be both outward looking, competitive and resilient. Our companies are no longer shy in exploring new opportunities and our manufacturing is setting new standards and earning a healthy reputation. Through the ages, the Moon, our closest celestial body, has aroused curiosity in our mind much more than any other object in the sky. It has specific role and importance in Indian mythology, astrology and culture. When Chandrayaan-I soared into the skies last October, it was not just a display of India’s technological achievements. It was an attempt to understand the moon to provide a pathway to unravel the early evolution of the solar system and that of the planet earth. India’s foreign policy seeks to promote an environment of peace and stability in our region, and in the world, aimed at enabling India’s accelerated socio-economic development and safeguarding our national security. We are happy that a few months ago the international community lifted restrictions to end India’s nuclear isolation of the last thirty four years. The Indian Diaspora around the world is an asset to the Nation. They are affluent, influential and also well integrated into their local communities. The efforts by the Government of India to engage them, has proven to be mutually beneficial. At the same time, there is a growing realisation among them that their ancestral land – India – is being regarded with much greater and rising respect in the world today. India’s rise is increasingly being regarded as an important dimension of the emerging international world order. Our counsels on key global challenges are not just being heard, but are being actively sought and in this enterprise of changing the image of India, the overseas Indian community has also played a magnificent role. The recent visit of Prime Minister of India to Oman and Qatar in the Gulf region won his admiration for the five million Indian workers working in the Gulf, including Kuwait. Relations between India and Kuwait are based on the principles of cooperation and mutual respect and benefit. Both countries share historic people to people contact. India – Kuwait trade and economic relations, dating back to the nineteenth century when the trade was primarily through sea route in traditional Kuwaiti Dhows – have come a long way with the advent of the twenty first century. The deep-rooted relationship between the two countries has evolved to comprehensive and multi-dimensional partnership. The historical trade links, cultural affinities and the presence of a large Indian expatriate community in Kuwait have contributed towards deepening of this long-standing relationship to mutual advantage. The State Visit to India of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait in June 2006 provided greater thrust and larger content to the bilateral partnership. Subsequently, the two sessions of the India-Kuwait Joint Ministerial Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation in November 2006 in Kuwait and July 2008 in New Delhi have identified several key areas for expanding the cooperation. These high level interactions have created an environment and opportunities for greater trade, economic and investment cooperation between the two countries leading to a diversification and enrichment of our bilateral ties.
Exactly two
months ago from today, Mumbai was attacked. Terrorist strikes in India
are not unique or new. Yet, this dastardly attack in Mumbai will stand
out because of the unique nature of its operation. Unlike what happened
in Kabul where the Indian embassy was targeted through a suicide bomb
blast, this will remain in the annals of international terrorist attacks
as unique, because of the fact that a number of terrorists not only
carried out a series of murderous attacks in multiple locations but
because they chose to end their lives in an extended manner and not
through a suicide attack. We believe this to be the singularly unique
terrorist strike since 9/11 and hence, we believe that it is important
that anti-terrorist wings in all countries take cognizance of this
operation and bring the perpetrators to justice. Let us not forget that
terrorism knows no borders. All of us are vulnerable to terrorist
attacks. I once again take this opportunity to congratulate the entire Indian community, persons of Indian origin and overseas citizens of India living in Kuwait on this auspicious occasion of the 59th anniversary of the Republic Day of India. My warmest greetings and best wishes to each one of them and their respective families. As India celebrates its 59th anniversary of the Republic Day on January 26, 2009, we reiterate our commitment to further expand and deepen the historic, warm and friendly relations between India and Kuwait. I, on this occasion, take the opportunity to thank His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait; His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait; His Highness Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait; the Government; and the people of the State of Kuwait for bestowing their care and benevolence on the Indian community in Kuwait. I also pray for the continued well being, health, progress and prosperity of the leadership and the friendly people of the State of Kuwait as well as for the peace and stability in the region.
Jai Hind. |
