PM'S
SPEECH AT STATE LUNCHEON AT MALDIVES
Following is the text of the
speech of the Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the
State Luncheon hosted by the President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom of
the Republic of Maldives, at Male, today:
"I thank you for your kind
words of friendship. It is a great pleasure to be here today in
your beautiful country. My delegation and I deeply appreciate
the warm and friendly hospitality, which we have received here
ever since our arrival yesterday.
Mr President,
When we met
in Kathmandu in January this year, I had promised you that I would
visit your country soon. I have redeemed that promise. As close
neighbours and trusted friends, we must maintain the tradition
of frequent high-level dialogue to enrich our relationship and
enhance our cooperation.
Our excellent bilateral relations
flow from our shared history, geographical proximity and cultural
affinities. We have built on this solid foundation with regular
political consultations and intensive economic collaboration.
India has always been and remains committed to assisting in
the progress and development of Maldives. We shall not waver in
this resolve.
Mr. President,
We in India have great respect for
your long and distinguished service to your country. Under your
wise leadership, Maldives has enjoyed continued political stability
and steady economic growth. You have the highest per capita income
among the countries of South Asia. You have adapted harmoniously
to the consequences of globalization. Your outstanding success
in developing your tourism sector to international standards has
lessons for many countries, including India.
At the same time, it is most impressive
to see how the Maldivian people have preserved their cultural
identity and national traditions, even while adapting to change
and modernity. Undoubtedly, the credit for this goes to your strong
emphasis on education and the amazing achievement of nearly 100%
literacy. You have graphically illustrated the truism that the
balanced progress of a nation is inextricably linked to the level
of education of its people.
Excellency,
We have had wide-ranging discussions
today on our bilateral cooperation. Our ongoing projects are proceeding
very satisfactorily. We have also looked ahead to newer areas
of our future collaboration.
Indias commitment to the health
and education sectors in Maldives is demonstrated in bricks and
mortar by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital and the Maldives
Institute of Technical Education. We will continue to remain involved
in these projects for their expansion, modernization and human
resource development. We are similarly committed to assisting
in your prestigious Population Consolidation and Development Programme.
Today, we lay the foundation for
concrete collaboration in your tourism sector through the new
project for the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism studies.
Our cooperation in human resource
development spans an entire range from defence to hospitality,
from medicine to Information Technology. We will further widen
and intensify this range.
We have also discussed some new ideas
for an IT village, for the ecological preservation of Hulhumale,
for digital mapping of your islands, for a telemedicine link and
for a remote sensing centre. These lay down markers for our future
endeavours.
Our security and defence cooperation
is following a focussed programme of equipment supplies and military
training. The joint "Dosti" exercises of our two Coast
Guards aptly symbolize our deepening service-to-service friendship.
We also have common perspectives
within SAARC and among the nations of the Indian Ocean Rim community.
We understand the need for close regional cooperation for poverty
alleviation and equitable economic development in our region.
Some irrational political motivations are hindering our efforts
for closer economic integration within SAARC. As I had said at
the SAARC Summit in Kathmandu, India is willing to extend unilaterally,
if necessary the maximum possible economic and trade concessions
to the least developed countries within SAARC. We cannot let growth
and development remain hostage to petty political jealousies.
Excellency,
Our partnership with Maldives is
truly special, since it is entirely based on mutual benefit for
our peoples. This is a firm foundation for an enduring friendship
and close bilateral understanding.
I wish you, Mr President and all
those present here health and well being. I also convey the
sincere feelings of the people of India for the progress and prosperity
for the friendly people of Maldives."