Remarks by Ambassador of India Shri Abhishek Singh at the Reception
on the occasion of the 74th Republic Day of India
His Excellency Yvan Gil, Foreign Minister of Venezuela,
Hon’ble Ministers and Vice Ministers,
Hon’ble Governors of various Provinces,
Deputies of the National Assembly,
Mayors,
Ambassadors,
Members of the Indian Diaspora,
Friends of India,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me at the outset extend a warm welcome to all of you on the occasion of the celebration of the 74th Republic Day of India. While this occasion is celebrated all over India and by various Indian Embassies around the world, today is also an occasion to celebrate our longstanding friendship with the people of Venezuela. I also recognize the presence of several high authorities of the Government and Ambassadors of many countries based in Caracas.
2. I had shared with you during the last Republic Day that we had started the 75th anniversary celebrations of our independence, which we will be concluding in August this year. This will be followed by preparations for the 100th anniversary of India’s independence in 2047 and we call the period between now and 2047 as the “Amrit Kal”, which would be a time of great significance in our country’s path of progress. This is a time when our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Ideate in India, Innovate in India, Make in India and Make for the World’ will shape the very future of a ‘New India’.
Friends,
3. On October 1 last year, we celebrated 63 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Venezuela. These 63 years have witnessed strengthening of our relationship in all areas of cooperation with a clear determination to find new avenues of cooperation.
4. When I came to Venezuela in August 2020, it was a period of great uncertainty as we were still grappling with the new virus which disrupted our lives, economies and societies. Despite three years that have elapsed since the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are still grappling with new variants. Our principal armour in our fight against Covid-19 has been the vaccines, but other precautions are still to be maintained.
5. While India had to cater to the needs of its one billion-plus population, we did not forget our responsibility to the world at large. Government of India supplied Covid-related medicines to more than 150 countries, including Venezuela. When the vaccines arrived, we were in the forefront of not only taking care of the needs of our own people, but also taking care of the needs of many countries around the world under the “Vaccine Maitri” initiative of the Government of India. India has demonstrated that despite serious uncertainties Covid-19 forced on us, we are a reliable partner and friend for countries across the globe in the fight against this pandemic.
Excellencies,
6. I am happy to share that despite the obvious restrictions that Covid-19 imposed on us, we at the Embassy of India continue to conduct our duties without disruptions in all fields. Embassy of India, Caracas could organize more than 100 events in the last one year and many of you have attended several of these events. It has been the endeavour of our Embassy to forge a friendly connect with the people of Venezuela. In this endeavour, we have been successful in developing cultural, economic and political ties with the people of Venezuela far and wide spread across Venezuela. What has been remarkable is the friendship that we have seen in far away places where they recognize India as an important and preferred partner of choice.
7. During the ongoing 75th anniversary celebrations of India’s independence, Embassy of India has taken several new initiatives. These include Cultura de la India, Namaste India, Bollywood y Arepa, Khana de la India, Youth Vani and India Week celebrations. These initiatives have brought the people of India closer to the people of Venezuela and forged deep cultural linkages between our two countries. Embassy of India has set up ‘India Corners’ with books on Indian history and culture in Caracas, Bolivar, Apure, Aragua, Guarico and Amazonas.
Excellencies,
8. You are aware that India is one of the fastest growing economies of the world. Ease of doing business has increased manifold and we have undertaken new initiatives to promote innovation and start ups. Embassy of India has been proactively organizing various commercial events. I am happy to share that with the support of the Government of Venezuela, Chambers of Commerce and business enterprises, we have been able to have important commercial meetings at La Guaira, Caracas, Maracaibo, Maracay and Valencia in the last few months. We are planning to have few other sector-specific commercial meetings next month, which will further promote our trade relations. Trade is always a two-way process. While we are putting special emphasis on increasing Indian exports to Venezuela, we are also looking forward to receiving unique Venezuelan goods in India. The Embassy of India and its Commercial Wing stands ready to facilitate these processes and assist those who want to contribute in this important aspect of our bilateral relations.
Excellencies,
9. During the last year, we have had important high level engagements. H.E. Dr. Delcy Rodriguez had a telecon meeting with Hon’ble Minister of Finance of India Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman, the former Foreign Minister of Venezuela H.E. Carlos Faria met our Hon’ble External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in New York on the sidelines of UNGA, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs of India Amb. Saurabh Kumar led the Indian delegation for the 4th Foreign Office Consultations which was held on 21 November in Caracas. The Venezuelan side was led by H.E. Capaya Rodriguez, Hon’ble Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. During the visit, Amb. Saurabh Kumar also had a meeting with the then Foreign Minister H.E. Carlos Faria. Just a few days back, Sectoral Vice President for Economy and Minister of Petroleum of Venezuela H.E. Mr. Tareck El Aissami participated in the Energy Ministerial segment of the Voice of Global South Summit hosted by India. This Ministerial was chaired by H.E. Mr. Hardip Singh Puri, Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas of the Government of India. In addition, you are aware that in my capacity as the Ambassador of India, I have regularly been meeting senior leadership in Caracas and other States of Venezuela, including my earlier meeting with Foreign Minister Yvan Gil and forging deeper bilateral relations and breaking new grounds for the future. All these things are clear testimony of the ever-growing strong bilateral relationships between India and Venezuela.
Excellencies,
10. The Indian diaspora plays an important role in forging deeper bonds between India and the country of their residence. Though the Indian diaspora is relatively small in Venezuela but they have been playing their own respective roles in promoting friendship between our two countries. I am grateful for the presence of the Indian diaspora in today’s function and I acknowledge their enormous contribution towards cementing our friendly relations with the people of Venezuela. I would also like to thank the Indian diaspora for supporting the Embassy of India in organizing various events in the 75th anniversary celebrations of our independence. We have always believed in “Jan Bhagidari” which means collaboration with the Indian diaspora in organizing these events. As always, on 9th of January, Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas was organized in the greenest city of India Indore and also various Indian Embassies around the world, in which the diaspora participated with great enthusiasm. I am sure that our collaboration with the Indian diaspora will grow and they know that the Embassy of India is at their service and certainly a home away from home for all of them.
Friends,
11. During the last couple of years, we have had the chance to meet with several Venezuelans in various fields. During our interactions, we could sense not only their admiration for India, but also a great sense of optimism that they have for the future. While we reciprocate the admiration that they have for India, we also share their optimism for the future. The world belongs to the people who believe in the power of dreams specially of the youth. As a Representative of the country which has the world’s largest youth population, I would not only be optimistic about the role that the youth can play in shaping the future, but also very confident that the dreams that they have for themselves and for their future generations is something which should inspire all of us. We need to get our energies together and contribute towards nurturing the ideals which great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi have done during their lifetime – the ideals of Universal Brotherhood and Sisterhood. We have always believed in the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” which means that “the world is one family”, and the same spirit guides the Embassy of India in Caracas.
Excellencies,
12. In conclusion, I would like to once again thank all of you for your kind presence on this important occasion of the celebration of the 74th Republic Day of India. I would also like to thank all the dignitaries present today, specially the Chief Guest for the evening His Excellency the Foreign Minister of Venezuela Yvan Gil. For our celebrations, we have a cultural evening which is a mix of both Indian and Venezuelan traditions. I am sure you will enjoy the evening.
I thank you all!
Long Live India-Venezuela Friendship!
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