Esteemed Mr. Park Jin, Member of National Assembly
Esteemed friends from the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is my proud privilege and honour to welcome you to the celebration commemorating the 62nd Republic Day of India. It is on this day sixty one years ago that independent India declared itself a Republic, promulgating the most detailed written Constitution in the world. Since then, the Republic of India has grown from strength to strength, crossing several milestones on its democratic journey, becoming today the world’s fourth largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity.
India highly values its relations with the Republic of Korea. Both countries are vibrant democracies. 2010 was a particularly significant year as India-Korea relations were elevated to the status of “Strategic Partnership.” While President Lee Myung-bak’s State visit to India in January 2010 infused a new momentum into the relations, Prime Minister Singh’s participation in G-20 Summit in November cemented the partnership further. The India-RoK Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that completed one year of implementation this month recognizes the extensive synergies between our two economies. It is a proof of CEPA’s success, bilateral trade increased by more than 45% to touch $17 billion last year.
India-Korea partnership has matured beyond the bilateral realm into multilateral frame as evidenced by our mutual understanding at the G-20 Summit. As the Republic of Korea became the first Asian country to host the G-20 Summit, I take this opportunity, Your Excellency, to congratulate the government and the people of Korea on the impressive success of the Summit and its tangible achievements.
India has a deep commitment to securing a harmonious international environment and for greater integration with the world, particularly with East Asia. India’s ‘Look East’ policy and our belief in the East Asia Summit process are an evidence of this vision. The Nalanda University, an offshoot of a collective vision of the Asian leaders, stands tall as a testimony to the common cultural heritage and cultural integration of the Asian region. India is privileged to be home to this distinguished place of learning. It is in recognition of our cultural compatibility that we will be soon opening an Indian Cultural Centre in Seoul.
Excellencies and friends, I would like to thank all of you who have gathered here this evening representing your friendly countries. Your presence on the auspicious occasion of India’s Republic Day, I believe, is an expression of solidarity with what India has achieved as a responsible member of the international community. India is today a factor of economic stability in the wake of global financial crisis. Despite the economic tremors of the last two years, India achieved an impressive growth of about 8.8% in 2010 and is poised to grow at a higher rate this year.
We are in January, the beginning of a New Year which brings new hope and optimism. To convey my good wishes to all, I quote an inspiring hymn from an ancient Sanskrit classic:
It is a prayer to the almighty:
“May all be happy
May all be healthy
May we all experience what is good and let no one suffer!
May there be peace, peace, peace all around!”
Distinguished guests, with these sentiments, may I now invite you to join me in a toast to the further strengthening and deepening of India’s friendship and partnership with the Republic of Korea and with all the countries represented here.
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