THE DEVELOPING WORLD NEEDS TO STRENGTHEN THE FOUNDATIONS OF DEMOCRACY AND GIVE SPECIAL EMPHASIS TO DEVELOPMENT - SHEKHAWAT

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Vice President Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat has said that the developing world needs to strengthen the foundations of democracy and give special emphasis to development. Vice President was addressing the National Assembly of Seychelles today. Shri Shekhawat further said that Democracies must join together with a renewed commitment and dedication for the welfare of the people, safeguarding the freedom and liberty not only in political terms but also ensuring freedom from hunger, poverty, disease and disaster. And to accomplish this task without any distraction or hindrance, we need an international environment conducive to peace and growth. Peace must prevail if humanity has to survive. We must strive hard for a world free from fear, violence, conflicts and terrorism. Let us be vigilant against the threat to democracy worldwide arising from the forces opposed to it, whether from terrorists or others.

The following is the full text of the address of the Vice President of India to the National Assembly of Seychelles:

"I bring to you warm greetings, fraternal good wishes and best regards from the people of India, from the Members of the Indian Parliament, and from the Government of India.

It is a great honour for me to be here amidst you and to address this august Assembly, the pillar of democracy of your beautiful country. I cannot express how fascinated I am by the unique beauty of this Paradise Island. Nature has been bountiful to your Country - as beautiful indeed as it has been in bestowing such rich diversity upon your land and its people.

I have pleasantly learnt an Indian connection in the discovery of this Island of Mahe! It was from Pondicherry in India that in the year 1741, the French navigator, Lazare Picault had begun his voyage to Mauritius as destination when his keen eyes spotted this beautiful Island of Mahe. That is why I am sure our two countries will remain firmly connected forever!

I am particularly happy to be visiting Seychelles as you celebrate the Tenth anniversary of the Third Republic. I learn that you have just celebrated the Tenth anniversary of the National Assembly under the Third Constitution with the photographic Exhibition on the history of the Parliamentary traditions in Seychelles. Very soon you will also be observing the centenary of the meeting of the first Legislative Council. I, therefore, consider myself privileged to address this special Session, convened by your Excellency, during this period of your dialogue with history, attesting to the close friendship between our two democracies.

We in India celebrated the Golden Jubilee of our Parliament earlier this year. Hon'ble Mr. Speaker, let me say how honoured we felt with your presence then and of your delegation on that historic occasion.

Hon'ble Members, both our countries share common background, and have a common legacy of colonialism. Both countries have also had to struggle for independence. Also on attainment of independence, both of us decided to continue as members of the Commonwealth. Both Countries then became members of the United Nations. We are both wedded to the common ideals of democracy and secularism. The basic tenets of democracy, expression of popular will, respect for liberty and human rights, adult suffrage, rule of law and governance by the majority party apply equally in our two Countries. Parliamentary procedures, too, have major elements of similarity though their applications do of course vary. However, 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 promote his welfare. The Parliamentary institutions are the best forums to understand and address man's 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. In a period of the past five decades, after attaining independence, India's experience has shown to the world how complex problems of a developing country can be addressed within a constitutional and democratic framework.

The challenges before the democracies of the developing world are formidable; the foremost being of the eradication of poverty and eliminating under-development. People's faith in democracies of developing nations depends upon addressing the problems of the poor. A quarter of the world population continues to live in poverty. About a fifth of humanity does not have access to safe drinking water. A million lives are lost every year because of malaria and tuberculosis. Many million children are deprived of access to primary education. Eradication of poverty and providing safety net for the poor, in the present era of globalization, remains the priority agenda item for action.

The developing world needs to strengthen the foundations of democracy and give special emphasis to development. Democracies must join together with a renewed commitment and dedication for the welfare of the people, safeguarding the freedom and liberty not only in political terms but also ensuring freedom from hunger, poverty, disease and disaster. And to accomplish this task without any distraction or hindrance, we need an international environment conducive to peace and growth. Peace must prevail if humanity has to survive. We must strive hard for a world free from fear, violence, conflicts and terrorism. Let us be vigilant against the threat to democracy worldwide arising from the forces opposed to it, whether from terrorists or others.

Today, unfortunately, we are failing to provide common man the requisite security and the freedom from fear largely due to the spectre of terrorism. As a victim of terrorism for more than two and half decades, India knows, more than any other country, the adverse consequences of it. The terrorist attack on our Parliament on 13^th December 2001 symbolised 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. I would like to thank the people of Seychelles for their principled and consistent support to India on the issue of cross border 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.

India and Seychelles enjoy close relations. Our relations are characterized by regular political consultation both at the official and at people-to-people level. We have maintained close cooperation in multilateral fora mindful of each other's vital interests and considering them as our own.

My country's new 'Focus Africa' policy is aimed at enabling us to better address the aspirations and needs of the people of Africa. Seychelles has ethnic links with three continents - Asia, Africa and Europe. It is uniquely placed to play a role in our efforts to achieve better integration of our policies with Africa.

It is also important to expand the UN Security Council to make it more representative and effective. I would like to convey our sincere appreciation for the support of the Government of Seychelles to India's candidature for the permanent membership of an expanded UN Security Council.

Today, globalisation is the key to building up a new world order. But, globalization is not just breaking barriers of trade; it also enjoins upon us to build new human relationships. In this context, ancient Indian concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which means all the 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.

On this occasion, I would like to reaffirm our commitment to further strengthening mutual cooperation between our two countries. We are now entering a new phase of increased bilateral relationship. Some MoUs are getting finalised. There is so much to gain and benefit through mutual help and understanding. For example, you have invaluable experience in promoting eco-tourism to share with us. Similarly, our strength in professional and skilled manpower resource may be of assistance to you.

Friends, 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-order. On our part, I would like to assure this august gathering of our very best efforts in this endeavour.

Hon'ble Speaker Sir, once again I express my gratitude to you for having given me this opportunity to share my thoughts with you this morning. It was, indeed, a great privilege and rare honour for me. I wish the very best to every one of you. May God bless your country and all the inhabitants, with ever increasing prosperity, success and glory."