World takes notice of ‘Brand India'
Message from the High Commissioner of India, Mr. Ajai Choudhry, on the 54th Anniversary of the Republic Day of India

Mr. Ajai Choudhry

An Indian worker (C) watches the performance of computer CPU's (L and R) on an overhead monitor in the assembly line at Hewlett Packard (HP) India's manufacturing facility in the India Configuration Centre in Bangalore. Starting from a scratch a few years ago, Indian software exports have reached US$10 billion per annum. AFP

On the auspicious occasion of the 54th Anniversary of the Republic Day of India, I convey my heartiest greetings and best wishes to all Indians living in Brunei Darussalam. Twenty-six January is a landmark day for India as it was on this day in the year 1950 that the people of India gave to themselves a dynamic Constitution that embodies their yearnings for justice, liberty, equality fraternity. The Constitution of India provides a firm basis for the unity of our people and the progress of the country.

As we celebrate our Republic Day, we also reflect on the evolution of India as a sovereign State. Modern India is characterised by unity in diversity, is firmly wedded to the principles of equality, human dignity, non-discrimination, secularism and democracy, and has made remarkable progress in the economic and social fields.

Since we launched our economic reforms in early 1990s, the Indian economy has maintained an average annual growth rate of over 6%, and we are now targeting a growth rate of 8%. The Indian economy is already the fourth largest in the world on the basis of purchasing power parity. Our foreign exchange reserves are over US$100 billion, and are today the sixth largest in the world. Our foreign trade is growing at double-digit rates. We are rapidly reducing our external debt. There is strong business confidence and a 'feel good' factor across our economy, bouyed by recent success notched up by our services as well as the manufacturing sector. Our reserve of food-stock stands at over 30 million tonnes. Starting from scratch a few years ago, Indian software exports have reached US$10 billion per annum. Our determined thrust for infrastructure modernisation emphasies building of roads, ports, increase in power generation etc. The Indian economy comprises a strong and growing middle class of 300 million people with rapidly increasing purchasing power.

Some of the strength of our economy that are still not so well known are as follows:

An inherently strong economy driven primarily by indigenous skills and domestic enterprise.

- A growing and accessible domestic market with import and investment barriers falling away. To take just one random example of the growth of the market, in the last few months, it has been absorbing about two billion mobile phones a month.

- A rich pool of human resource - English speaking, with research and development skills, technological training and managerial capabilities.

Some special capabilities in state-of-the-art technologies. India is one of only three countries - the others are US and Japan - to have indigenously designed and manufactured supercompeters. It is one of only six countries that can build and launch their own satellites

- Global leadership in technologies of the knowledge economy. Indian's pre-eminent position in IT and IT-enabled services has led global companies to set up offices in India or to outsource their operations to quality Indian service providers.

- A sound and transparent financial system, with well-managed banking and insurance sectors, and vibrant capital markets. Our paperless computer-driven National Stock Exchange is the third largest in the world in terms of number of annual transactions.

While we still have a long way to go, slowly and steadily, 'Brand India' is making its presence felt. India is today an emerging power, a centre of science and technology, and a land that can boast of people known for their talent, intelligence, had work and extraordinary creativity. Yoga and the art of living, computer geeks and IIT, fashion and food, Bollywood and Bangalore - these are symbols and images of the new India.

It is this India that seeks to partner Asean in this era of globalisation. India's trade and economic interaction with the Asean countries has been steadily growing. At the 2nd India-Asean Summit held in October 2003 at Bali, India and Asean have entered into a Framework Agreement for Comprehensive Economic Cooperation.

We are working on eliminating trade and investment barriers to facilitate business. At Bali, India also acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. This demonstrates India's firm commitment and support to peace and stability in this region.

Relations between India and Brunei have always been marked by mutual understanding and friendship. A number of exchanges of high-level visits have intensified and extended the dimensions of India's bilateral relations with Brunei.

The increasing interaction between India and Asean has brought India and Brunei even closer. The Indian expatriate community in Brunei has brought India and Brunei even closer. The Indian expatriate community in Brunei constitutes an important link of friendship between our two countries.

Two Indian naval ships paid a goodwill visit to Brunei last October. With the signing of the first ever term contract about six months back for the supply of crude oil from Brunei to India and the renewal of this contract earlier this month, our bilateral economic relations have risen to new heights.

In addition, several Indian information technology companies have entered into significant agreements with Bruneian companies for supply of software and related services. These economic agreements will further strengthen the close bonds between our two countries.

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 Borneo Bulletin