31-10-2009 : On Board Special Aircraft
We are meeting at a rather late hour but I thought that I would brief you about my just concluded State Visits to the United Kingdom and the Republic of Cyprus. The main purpose of my visits was to consolidate our traditionally friendly ties with both countries.
2. As I had mentioned during my interaction with you on the outward journey, the visit to the UK was the first State Visit from either side since India and the UK commenced their strategic partnership in 2004, and was taking place after a gap of 20 years.
3. My delegation and I were received with great warmth at the welcome ceremony at Windsor, which was impressive not only because of its grand pageantry but also for the enthusiasm shown by the hundreds of people who greeted the entourage as it moved to the Castle. This warmth, as you would have also witnessed, was evident at every stage, whether at the banquet at Windsor Castle or at the Guildhall of the City of London.
4. The outcome of the visit was fruitful. I had wide-ranging discussions with the UK leadership on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. Her Majesty, the Queen recalled with fondness her visits to India. She spoke about the unique friendship between our two countries which had been built on strong and deep foundations, and was manifest in the Strategic Partnership as well as the growing and dynamic economic relationship. Describing education as one of the most important pillars of the new partnership, Her Majesty referred to the more than thirty thousand students studying in universities in the UK and also mentioned the recent arrival in Cambridge University of the first group of scholars under the Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarships.
5. I was also struck by the UK leadership's interest in and awareness about India. I saw a desire and commitment on the part of my UK interlocutors, across the entire political spectrum, for further strengthening and diversifying ties between our two countries. I reciprocated this in full measure.
6. UK's willingness to cooperate with India in the social sectors, particularly in the context of the Millennium Development Goals, was conveyed to me by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. He also expressed a keen interest in the ongoing cooperation between India and UK in the education sector, and the importance they attach to this component of our relationship. The issue of easier movement of our people to the UK, especially of IT professionals, was also discussed.
7. The strong trade and investment links between India and the UK figured prominently in talks. A high-level delegation of the Indian business community accompanied me to London. At the UK-India Business Council Meeting, the business communities of both countries expressed optimism about future prospects. I am confident that given the many complementarities of the two economies, there will be intensification of engagements and our business enterprises will contribute to this process.
8. Our Diaspora in the UK is hard working, industrious and successful. They have made a mark for themselves in diverse fields in the UK. I met a cross-section of the community members involved in the social, economic and political life of the UK. Many of them are also associated with British foundations working with India, including the British Asian Trust, a group of charities associated with the Prince of Wales. I had an opportunity to be briefed about the activities in India of this Trust at a meeting with the Prince of Wales. In my meetings, the positive role being played by the large Indian Diaspora and their significant contribution was clearly recognized and appreciated.
9. I interacted with Members of the British Parliament at a meeting organized by the All Party UK Parliamentary Group on India. As Parliamentary democracies, both our countries can benefit from regular contacts between Members of Parliament.
10. I attach a very special significance to the function held at India House, where memorabilia associated with Mahatma Gandhi was handed over to me. It was a profoundly emotional moment for me. We are carrying these precious items back to India. I also saw, at the Royal collection at Windsor, a small shawl made with yarn spun by Gandhiji and gifted in 1947 to Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh for their wedding.
11. The launch of the Queen's Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace on 29 October, in a manner of speaking, has started the countdown for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in India next year. I have extended an invitation to Her Majesty the Queen, to visit India next year for the Commonwealth Games.
12. My visit to the UK was a reiteration of our strong commitment to the strategic partnership and our desire to further consolidate this important relationship. I am satisfied with what was achieved during the visit and am also confident that it will give a further impetus to the rapidly developing Indo-UK ties.
13. Cyprus is a country with which India enjoys a close friendship. This feeling comes across very tellingly when one enters the prescients of the Parliament building of the country which is located on Jawaharlal Nehru Avenue and has the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the entrance. The same sentiment of a special relationship is demonstrated when the street on which the Indian High Commission is located is named Indira Gandhi Street.
14. My interactions with President Demetris Christofias reinforced our friendship. We discussed potential areas for enhancing economic co-operation, including IT, tourism, financial services, agro-food processing, hydrocarbons, in which we need to focus on, to convert the existing goodwill, into projects and programmes, with concrete results. We also reaffirmed our support for matters that are important to each other. Cyprus attaches great value to India's consistent support for its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. I reiterated our support. We too have received from Cyprus, strong and unwavering support on matters of significance to us, including support for our permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council. He indicated that India could count on Cyprus as a reliable friend of India in the EU. As you know, all Presidents of Cyprus have visited India during their terms in office. I have extended an invitation to President Christofias and Madame Christofia to visit India at a mutually convenient time.
15. As Cyprus seeks to diversify beyond the traditional sectors of tourism, finance and shipping, it opens up opportunities for new economic and commercial partnerships. I encouraged the Indian business delegation accompanying me to explore the possibilities of working with Cyprus in areas which are mutually beneficial. I am glad that I was able to witness at the business event yesterday, the signing of a MoU for a joint venture solar power project in India, with technical and financial participation from Cyprus. As you are aware Cyprus is strategically located at the crossroads of three continents. Our businesspersons could explore markets in the EU, Russia and Mediterranean countries with Cyprus as the base. The growing Indian community in Cyprus can be important contributors to our growing relationship.
16. During my meeting with the President of the House of Representatives, we discussed avenues for cooperation between our respective parliaments. It is expected that a parliamentary delegation from Cyprus will visit India in the near future.
17. I also had a good meeting with Archbishop Chrisostomos II on our shared values and experiences that have enriched our respective multi-cultural societies.
18. The leadership and the people of Cyprus have genuine warmth and appreciation for the deep rooted friendship with India. Overall, my visit to Cyprus reinforced the strong bonds that already exist and helped define the contours of a future cooperation within the context of a rapidly changing world.
19. I return back home satisfied with the outcome of my visits to the UK and the Republic of Cyprus. I also hope that you all return home with pleasant memories of your visit.
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