Message from His Excellency Mr. M. Ganapathi, Ambassador of India on the occasion of the 58^th Anniversary of the Republic Day of India  (Kuwait; January 26, 2008)

          On the auspicious occasion of the 58^th Anniversary of the Republic Day of India, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to the members of the Indian community in Kuwait and to our Kuwaiti friends.

January 26, 1950 is an important date in Indian history. It was on this day, the newly independent nation of India began its journey among the comity of nations as a sovereign, secular and democratic Republic and adopted a Constitution to secure to all its citizens justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.  Since that historic day, the Republic of India has consolidated itself as the world’s largest democracy and has vigorously pursued its cherished goal of economic and social development, empowerment of its citizens, strengthening of its institutions and establishing a value-based and responsive system of governance. 

Last year saw India paying tribute to the brave men, women and children who laid down their lives in the First War of India’s Independence 150 years ago. India continues to celebrate the 60^th Anniversary of its Independence achieved on August 15, 1947.  At the same time, there is great sorrow that sixty years ago, on January 30, 1948 the Father of the Indian Nation Mahatma Gandhi fell victim to an assassin’s bullet while in the service of the nation.  The philosophy of this great and visionary leader provided guidance towards the framing of India’s Constitution.

While every Indian cherishes the democratic credentials of the country, the strength afforded to its democratic development is the pluralistic nature of its society urging unity, tolerance and respect for each other.  Its motto “Unity in Diversity” remains a beacon for the world at large.

The Government of India is clear in its vision that there could be no development without equality. It is this dictum which guides the Government in shaping its economic policy directed at poverty alleviation and ensuring that the rewards of its economic growth percolate down to the common man forming the core of the Indian nation.

The fundamentals of the Indian economy today are sound.  This strength affords it to tide over many a storm which has buffeted the global economy. While not insulated from global developments, the Indian economy is much less dependent on external markets and international developments are likely to be offset by the continued growth in domestic markets.  The underlying dynamics that have characterised the rapid expansion of the Indian economy in recent years include robust investment growth, a strong corporate performance, high rates of domestic savings, good tax buoyancy that has helped the Government to move ahead on fiscal consolidation and most importantly strong confidence amongst India’s citizens- consumers and entrepreneurs. 

 India’s economy shows a sustained growth rate of nearly 9% and appears to be stabilising at the rate of above 8.5%.  In the past 20 quarters, the average GDP growth rate has been 8.0%.  India today is among the nine US trillion dollar economies and its foreign exchange reserves are around US$280 billion.  Inflation is under 4%.

Over the past two decades, India has been able to create an environment which has been conducive to creativity and entrepreneurship. Growth sectors have included those in pharmaceuticals, information and communications technology, bio-technology, automotive industries and other sunrise sectors.  Indian multi-nationals have acquired industries overseas. At the same time, the Government of India has recognised that certain core sectors of the economy need to be looked into with priority being accorded to the development of infrastructure both in urban and rural areas even though considerable investment is underway to augment capacity in both the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors.

Education is an area of primary focus of Government activity with a task that every citizen of India - man, woman and child - must be given an opportunity to be educated.  Universal education has been seen as a key to prosperity and a successful India. With youth constituting 54% of India’s population, education should provide for a rich demographic dividend.

India today accords significant attention to the protection of the environment.  Sustainability of development has been an area of key concern towards addressing the critical challenges related to energy, food and water security and climate change.  An Indian Dr. R.K. Pachauri heads the International Panel on Climate Change, a recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

India’s domestic and foreign policy priorities are closely interlinked.  The primary task of India’s foreign policy is to create an external environment conducive to its rapid development.  The independence of India’s foreign policy enables it to pursue mutually beneficial cooperation with the major countries of the world.

In the pursuit of its foreign policy objectives, India accords recognition to the contribution made by the Indian Diaspora towards building bridges linking their adopted countries with their mother country. Engaging the Diaspora in the way forward towards India’s growth and economic development and its integration with the international community was the theme of this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.  The Government of India has established an Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre, launched an Overseas Workers Resource Centre and approved the setting up of a Council for Promotion of Overseas Employment to look into issues concerning overseas Indians.

India’s relations with Kuwait are centuries old and time-tested.  These are multidimensional, comprehensive in scope and extensive in content.  The presence of a large Indian expatriate community has contributed to the economic development and prosperity of Kuwait and they form an integral component of the dynamic bilateral partnership between the two nations.  The Government and people of India are grateful for the care and benevolence accorded by the leadership of the State of Kuwait to the welfare of the Indian community.   

The momentum and impetus towards further expansion and deepening of India’s bilateral partnership with Kuwait was provided by the visit to India by His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait in June 2006.  Since then the two countries have worked towards implementation of the directions given by their leadership towards providing a composite platform for the launch of a strong and enduring partnership between India and Kuwait.  The year 2008 should continue to see the trend of further high level exchanges between the two countries. 

As India celebrates its Republic Day on January 26, 2008, we once again commit ourselves to further expand and enrich the partnership between India and the friendly State of Kuwait.  I convey my warm greetings and felicitations to my Indian friends, brothers and sisters in this country.  We pray for the good health of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait; His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait; and High Highness Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait and for the continued well-being and prosperity of the friendly State of Kuwait and its people.  We also pray for peace and stability in the region.

Jai Hind.

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