Indian HC's message on the 54th Republic Day

Mr Ajai Choudhry, High Commisioner of India

On the auspicious occasion of the 54th Republic Day of India, it is my privilege and pleasure to extend my heartiest greetings and best wishes to all Indians living in Brunei Darussalam. The January 26 is a very important day for our country as it was on this day in the year 1950 that the people of India gave to themselves a dynamic Constitution that embodies the yearnings of our people for justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Under the flexible provisions of our Constitution, our country has flourished and in half-a-century of our independent existence we have achieved notable successes.

India is rapidly emerging onto the world stage as a strong nation. We have today built significant national strength in every sense of the term. The average rate of growth of our economy over the last decade has been over 6 per cent and we are targeting 8 per cent growth for the next years.

Inflation has been at a record low. Our foreign exchange reserves are nearly US$70 billion. From a food shortage country, we have become an exporter and donor of foodgrains.

We are modernising our infrastructure. Our telecom facilities are already as good as anywhere in the world. The combination of India-based information technology companies and Indian professionals abroad have made India a premier software power. We are building world-class highways through our National Highway Development Project. Our rural roads network is being upgraded.

We have ambitious plans for airports, ports and railways. Housing construction has acquired an unprecedented speed. Literacy, especially women's literacy, has registered a marked rise over the last decade.

We are a nuclear power. We also possess significant conventional military capabilities and we have an advanced defence production industry. Our space, nuclear science, biotechnology and other high-tech capabilities are a matter of pride. Most of all, it is widely acknowledged that our human resources are coming the best the world.

While we have made rapid progress within the country, the members of the Indian diaspora have achieved spectacular successes abroad. There is today wide recognition of the important contribution that the diaspora had made to India and the constructive role that it can play. The organisation of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas January 9, 2003 in New Delhi is in itself a clear demonstration of India's desire to forge a constructive relationship with the diaspora and to recognise the contribution made by Indian diaspora towards improving India's relationship with the host countries. In this context, it is pertinent to note the significant role of the Indian expatriate community in Brunei Darussalam in strengthening our bilateral ties with Brunei.

The contribution of the Indian community to Brunei's socio-economic development is widely acknowledged and constitutes an important link of friendship between the two countries. The Indian community appreciates the opportunity that they have of working in Brunei while enjoying the warm hospitality and friendship of the people of this country.

Relations between India and Brunei have always been marked by mutual understanding and friendship. Our bilateral ties have been strengthened in the last one year by several high level visits from India to this country.

Our Minister of External Affairs, Mr Yashwant Singh, visited Brunei in July-August 2002 to attend the Asean Regional Forum and the Asean Post Ministerial Conference while our Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr Omar Abdullah, visited this country in May 2002 for a bilateral visit.

Our Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr Murasoli Maran, visited Brunei in September 2002 and we had the visit of an Indian Parliamentary delegation to this country in February last year. These exchanges of visits have intensified and extended the dimensions of our bilateral relationship.

Finally, on the happy occasion of India's republic Day, I would like to convey on behalf of the Indian community in Brunei as well as on my own behalf our warm greetings to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, as well as best wishes for his continued good health and long life.

Courtesy of Sunday Bulletin