· Your Excellency Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia
· Your Excellencies Ministers and Ambassadors
· Distinguished Parliamentarians
· Ladies and Gentlemen
Namaskar , Good Evening, Barev zez
I come to your beautiful country as a friend, bringing warm greetings, fraternal good wishes and best regards from one billion friends and well wishers in India, from the Members of Indian Parliament and from the Government of India.
2.It is indeed a great honour for me to be here amidst you in this august Assembly, the pillar of democracy of your great country. Your Excellency, I consider myself privileged to address this special Session convened by you attesting to the close friendship between our two democracies. I thank you for your kind words.
3. Excellencies , our friendship has stood the test of time, distance and political vicissitudes. Contacts between India and Armenia go back to over 2,000 years.There is evidence of an Indian community in Armenia in the 5th century BC. By the middle ages, the Armenian towns of Artashat, Metsbin and Dvin had become important centers for barter with India, which exported precious stones, herbs and textiles to Armenia, and obtained hides and dyes.
4.
In our country, Chennai, has the distinction of being the place from where the first Armenian journal in the world, “Azdarar”
was published two hundred ten years ago.Again in 1902, an Indian classical singer, Ms. Gauhar Jan of Armenian origin became the first Armenian voice to be commercially recorded anywhere. Indeed, we admire the creativity and enterprise of the Armenian people in our country who have made their own distinctive and valuable contribution to the growth of our multi-ethnic and multi-cultural pluralist mosaic. Streets named after Armenia in our metropolitan cities like Kolkatta and Chennai are recognition of our close links.
5.
Our bilateral relations, based on traditional, historical, commercial and cultural links have produced a vast reservoir of mutual goodwill and warmth that is beyond modern concepts of strategic partnership.Our trade is growing, although still below its potential. Our mutual relations are distinguished by close convergence on vital issues of international importance; we have regular consultations and interactions at high levels.
6. In 1988, when an earthquake devastated parts of your country, the people of India were quick to respond with financial and other assistance. In 2001, when an equally devastating earthquake hit western India, an Armenian team of specialists was among the first to arrive for participating in rescue efforts.
7. We are deeply appreciative of your country’s economic progress. The people of Armenia have demonstrated that with dedication, commitment and leadership, a perceptible improvement in the quality of life of the average citizen is possible. We rejoice in the success that you have achieved in the quality of life indicators. As always, India stands ready to participate in your proud and confident endeavours in building a strong and prosperous Armenia. It is a matter of satisfaction and a privilege for us to have had a supporting partnership in your endeavours for progress and development. India stands committed to continue this partnership.
8. Excellencies , both of us are wedded to the common ideals of democracy and secularism. Expression of popular will, respect for individual liberty and human rights, adult suffrage, and rule of law enrich the content of democracy in our two countries. The Constitution remains the supreme law of the land, in my country as in yours. Both our countries recognize that people’s faith in democracy rests upon the confidence that the common man has in the capacity and effectiveness of Parliamentary institutions to provide him security and to promote his welfare.
9. The Parliamentary institutions are the best forums to understand and address our developmental needs and to focus on various aspects of governance impacting on the well-being of the people. Our struggle for independence, an epic struggle for democracy, freedom and liberty, was led by Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of our Nation. After attaining independence, India’s experience over almost six decades has shown to the world how complex problems of a developing country can be addressed within a constitutional and democratic framework. Our economy today is resilient, and amongst the fastest growing economies in the world. We have made significant progress in areas like biotechnology, space research, agriculture, genetics, bio-pharmaceuticals, research and development. India is one of the only six countries that design, manufacture and launch its satellites and one of the three countries that build super computers. India is the world’s largest manufacturer of tractors and motorcycles. As is well known, India is a leading power in the field of information technology and software.
10. Thanks to the thrust on investments in building the intellectual capital, India now possesses a rich reservoir of qualified professional manpower which is the third largest in the world. With more than 300 universities, 1500 research institutions and over 10,000 higher-education institutes, India produces over half a million engineering and technical graduates every year as well as another 2 million graduates in other disciplines.
11. Despite this significant progress, we are faced with many formidable challenges. We have yet to fully eradicate poverty, overcome under-development and provide the deprived sections access to basic healthcare, literacy and education. Eradication of poverty and providing safety net for the poor, remain the priority agenda item for action. We are fully conscious of the fact that people’s faith in democracy depends upon addressing the problems of the poor. In fact, promoting people’s welfare and their alleviation from deprivation constitute the real pillar of strength of the edifice of democracy.
12.To accomplish the task of development without any distraction or hindrance, we need an international environment of peace conducive to growth. Peace must prevail if humanity has to survive and prosper.Today, unfortunately, we are failing to provide common man the requisite security and the freedom from fear largely due to the spectre of terrorism.In fact, democracies are haunted and threatened most by terrorism. As a victim of terrorism for more than two and half decades, India knows, more than any other country, its adverse consequences. The terrorist attack on our Parliament on 13th December 2001 symbolized the grave terrorist threat to democracy all over the world. The people of India remain steadfast in their solemn resolve to strengthen democracy and to continue to safeguard our territorial integrity.
13. I would like to thank the people of Armenia for their principled and consistent support to India on the issue of terrorism. The fight against terrorism has to be comprehensive and sustained, we need to isolate the elements who instigate, support or assist terrorism, in any form, as much as those who perpetrate it. All nations of the world, like India and Armenia, which value peace, freedom, development and democracy, should work together tirelessly to root out the scourge of terrorism.
14.Your Excellencies, the leaders of the world gathered recently at the United Nations to reaffirm their commitment to peace, human rights, development of environment and the Millennium Development Goals. Their promises and agreements have now to be translated into concrete action.
15. The United Nations also is in urgent need of reform. A system put into place when the world consisted of only fifty independent nations cannot respond to the realities of a world in which 191 countries are members of the United Nations. Indeed, the present system suffers from democracy deficit. Reforms, including expansion of the Security Council to judiciously reflect the present global scenario, need to be carried out expeditiously. We greatly appreciate your support for India’s candidature for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
16. Today, there is a vast international momentum for change, and we must move forward together, pooling our resources and energies for the greater good of all humankind. We should further strengthen our close cooperation in multilateral forums, mindful of each other’s vital interests and considering them as our own.
17. In the present times, globalisation is the key to building up a new world order. But globalisation is not just breaking barriers of trade; it needs to have a much wider and substantive content that promotes overall human happiness in real terms especially of the millions of people in different parts of the world who continue to suffer the curse of poverty and deprivation. It also enjoins upon us to build new human relationships. In this context, ancient Indian concept of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam, which means the whole world is one family and that a common humanity unites all civilizations, acquires contemporary relevance. In my view, we can achieve real globalisation and have one peaceful world only through building a humane and value-based environment which contributes tolerance, respect and understanding about the diversity and wealth of different civilizations.
18. Excellencies, India is committed to creating conditions that would facilitate acceleration of cooperation. The constructive cooperation between our Nations would not only be to our mutual advantage but acting together with understanding and shared values, we shall be partners in contributing to the building of a better world for ourselves to live in and to bequeath a better and brighter tomorrow to our children. On our part, I would like to assure this August gathering of our fullest cooperation and support in this endeavour.
19. Hon’ble President Sir, once again I express my gratitude to you for having given me this opportunity to share my thoughts with you this evening. It has, indeed, been a great privilege and rare honour for me. I wish the very best to everyone of you. May God bless your Country and all the inhabitants, with ever increasing prosperity, success and glory.
Shnora-galutsyun. Yerekh tapart em zer usha drutsyan hamar.
