REMARKS
BY AMBASSADOR OF INDIA TO VENEZUELA SHRI ABHISHEK SINGH AT THE RECEPTION ON THE
OCCASION OF 72ND REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA
His
Excellency Jorge Arreaza, Foreign Minister,
Hon’ble
Ministers of the Government of Venezuela,
Excellency
Ambassadors,
Members
of Indian community,
My
dear Friends,
Ladies
and Gentlemen.
Let
me at the outset convey a warm welcome to all of you on the occasion of
celebrations of the 72nd Republic Day of India. We are meeting at the time when celebrations
like the one we have today evening have unfortunately ceased to happen due to
COVID pandemic. Therefore, we are
meeting today following the COVID related protocols. It is also a reflection of
our hope as well as resolve to move on but with abundant caution. While the process of vaccination has started
in many countries including my own country, we still need to have an approach
of caution.
2. The
COVID pandemic has disrupted economies around the world and have also deeply
changed the way we live our lives. It
has attacked not only the human body but also basic social interactions. While the pandemic has caused immense
miseries throughout the world, it is my sincere hope and belief that finally
the human spirit will triumph. It is in these times when the character of humanity
is tested and world has united to contain and hopefully finally eliminate this
virus.
Excellencies,
3. When
I arrived in Caracas in August last year as Ambassador of India, many were
surprised as to how I could travel such a huge distance with my family during
the pandemic. Ever since I came, the
focus has been to keep my Embassy safe and also collaborate with the Government
of Venezuela in our fight against COVID-19.
In that spirit, Government of India gifted COVID related medicines of 4
tonnes to the Government of Venezuela in August 2020. We are also looking at ways to collaborate
during the phase of vaccination.
4. Government
of India under the visionary of leadership of Honourable Prime Minister of
India Shri Narendra Modi ji has shown the world that India truly believes in
the spirit of ‘VasudevKutumbkam’ which means the ‘world is one family’. From the beginning of the pandemic while
catering to the tremendous needs of the population suffering from COVID in
India, the Government of India also sent medicines and COVID related medical
equipment throughout the world. All this while having a stellar record of one
of the highest recoveries and the lowest case fatality rates in the world. Even
after starting our own vaccination the process on 16 January 2021, Government
of India has provided or facilitated COVID vaccination to many countries
including our neighbours like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, and
also to Mauritius and Seychelles.
5. Government
of India led by Honourable Shri Narendra Modi is guided by its philosophy of
‘SabkaSaath, SabkaVikas and SabkaViswas’.
It means development together, development for all and trust of all. It is not an ordinary philosophy when we have
population of 1.3 billion to cater to.We have also contributed towards the
containment of this virus throughout the world.
It is exactly this spirit that guides us in the Embassy of India,
Caracas and we further strengthen the traditional fraternal relations with
Venezuela.
6. India-Venezuela
have celebrated 61 years of diplomatic relations last year. The relations between the two countries are
based on trust and friendly relations between the peoples of our two countries. There has been significant economic relations
and also deep relations in the cultural field.
In the recent times, our Hon’ble Vice President Shri M. Venkainaidu and
Hon’ble External Affairs Minister, Dr. SubramaniamJaishankar met with His
Excellency President Nicolas Maduro and Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza
respectively on the sidelines of the 18th NAM Summit in Baku. Her Excellency the Executive Vice President
Delcy Rodriguez also visited India for the 2nd General Assembly of
International Solar Alliance of which Venezuela is a founder member. During her visit, Her Excellency the
Executive Vice President had met with our Hon’ble External Affairs Minister Dr.
S. Jaishankar. Venezuelan Petroleum
Minister also participated in the energy event Petrotech 2019 in India and met
with our Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Dharmandra Pradhan.
7. The
year 2020 also marked the culmination of various celebrations related to 150th
birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. I
am happy to share that on 2nd October 2020, we inaugurated the
statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Universidad Metropolitana in Caracas. The statue of Father of our Nation Mahatma Gandhi
who is universally respected, is the first such statue in Venezuela which
stands as a symbol of the values of truth and non-violence that were dear to
Mahatma Gandhi.
Excellencies,
8. Embassy
of India has been actively promoting close economic relations between our two
countries while we have attended to several trade queries related to number of
areas. We were able to organize B2B/B2G meeting between our Pharma
industries. This was a very important
meeting as cooperation in the pharma sector is indeed an important element of
bilateral cooperation during these times of pandemic.
9. India
has always believed in the capacity building of our friendly countries. ICCR’s
scholarship and the ITEC training programmes are important efforts on the part
of the Embassy of India.
10. Let
me convey with all my sincerity that your presence today is a matter of great
confidence to the international community in Caracas. The distinguished presence of His Excellency Foreign
Minister Jorge Arreaza is also a matter of privilege for all of us.
11. While
we celebrate the 72nd Republic Day, it is also a time to reflect on
the great achievements of the Republic Day of India. As Ambassador representing the world’s
largest democracy, it is truly a matter of immense privilege and responsibility
for me. Our achievements in the field of
economy, space, science and technology, health despite the humble beginnings
after our independence in 1947 is truly a matter of pride and sets the stage
for NEW INDIA. The clarion call of Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi for
a ‘AtmaNirbhar’ Bharat meaning a Self-reliant India will further strengthen our
already significant contributions to the world.
The Republic Day also provides an occasion to renew our commitment to
the values and the principles that have strengthened our Republic. One of the most important values is the
spirit of friendship and peace which Indians have strived to foster around the
world.
12. We
are happy and privileged that many members of the Indian community are with us
today and we would like to applaud them for their perseverance during these
difficult times. We would also like to
share with them that the Embassy of India is your ‘home away from home’ 24
hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.
I am indeed hopeful that the year ahead is one of health, happiness and
success for all of you.
Excellencies,
13. I
would once again thank you for your august presence today and I do hope that
you enjoy the small cultural performance that we have put together. I would request all of you to kindly maintain
COVID protocols of social distancing and wearing of masks.
Thank
you all.
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