‘India-Kuwait relations deep-rooted, multifaceted’

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 26: Unfurling the Indian ‘Tricolor’ at the Indian Embassy in Kuwait on the 72nd anniversary of India’s Republic Day, the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait His Excellency Sibi George extended his greetings to all Indians in Kuwait, more than 1.3 billion Indians and millions of Indian diaspora abroad and billions of our friends across the world on this occasion.

Ambassador George began his address by thanking HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al- Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, for hosting the large Indian community. He also thanked the Government of Kuwait and Kuwaiti friends of India for their efforts and support in further strengthening “our deep-rooted and multifaceted bilateral relations.” Along with the President of India Ram Nath Kovind and the entire nation, the ambassador paid homage to “Our soldiers who laid down their lives protecting our borders and fighting cross-border terrorism.”

He also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their dear ones in Kuwait, in India and across the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He also thanked the many community members and various associations who individually and in coordination with Indian Community Support Group (ICSG) helped Indians in need during the most difficult days of the pandemic. “I salute our doctors, nurses and medical professionals,” he said, “who made many sacrifices here and all across the world to save lives. I commend our students, schools, teachers and parents in facing the challenges of Covid 19 with determination and adapting to the way education is now being digitally administered. I also thank our media friends who helped us to reach out to Indian community in Kuwait and also to our Kuwaiti friends.”

He went on to say, “It is a matter of great pride to each one of us to see how our India has emerged as the pharmacy of the world in addressing the Covid-19 pandemic at home and in helping several countries by supplying medicines and other healthcare items. India has not only developed its own indigenous vaccine but also supplied vaccines to several countries including most countries in our neighborhood and in countries as far as Brazil. This is reflective of the economic and scientific transformation that India witnessed in recent years.”

“We value our partnership with the State of Kuwait. Kuwait is a key partner in our extended neighborhood. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to strengthen our partnership with Kuwait for the prosperity and wellbeing of the people of our two countries. We will endeavor to make 2021 a vibrant year of activities in partnership with our Indian community and Kuwaiti friends,” he said.

Before addressing the invited guests at the embassy auditorium, the ambassador read the message of the Indian President on the eve of the 72nd Republic Day. The Indian President began by thanking the farmers, soldiers, and healthcare workers for their contributions. He also lauded the scientists for their work during the pandemic and urged the Indians to take part in the Covid-19 vaccination program.

Vibrant
The President called India the largest and most vibrant democracy, a land enriched by diversity and faith in its Constitution. “Seventy-one years ago, on this very day, we the people of India adopted, enacted and gave to ourselves a unique Constitution. For all of us, then, this is the day to also pause and ponder over the core values that the Constitution propounds. These values — Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity — outlined in the Preamble of our Constitution are sacred to all of us. Its abiding adherence is meant not only for those who are mandated to govern but for the people at large,” the President told the Indians at home and those living abroad.

Every Indian salutes our farmers, who have made our vast and populous country self-reliant in food-grains and dairy products. Despite adversities of nature, numerous other challenges and the Covid- 19 pandemic, our farmers sustained the agricultural production. A grateful nation is fully committed to the welfare of our farmers, the President added. He also lavished praise on the brave armed forces who ensure security of our national boundaries amid severest conditions — from freezing cold of Siachen and Galwan valley in Ladakh to the scorching heat in Jaisalmer.

Last year, as humanity almost came to a halt in the face of a calamity of gigantic proportions, the Indians have lived like a close-knit family, making exemplary sacrifices to protect each other in the face of the common enemy of Coronavirus. He said the Indians live and die for humanity. This Indian ideal was expressed by the great poet Maithili Sharan Gupt when he said, “It is the benevolent whose glory lives on in songs eternal; It is the generous whom the world reveres forever; Whose spirit of oneness fills the boundless universe; They truly are human who die for fellow beings.” “I am sure that this love for humanity and the spirit of sacrifice will take us to great heights,” the President said.

He said India remains confident in the face of the pandemic. The slowdown has turned out to be transitory as the economy has regained its dynamism. A self-reliant India has manufactured its own vaccine for Covid-19, and is now undertaking a mass vaccination drive, which will be the largest exercise of its kind in history.

The administration and health services are working with full readiness to make this exercise a success. He reminded, the past year was a time of adversity, and it came from many fronts. We faced an expansionist move on our borders, but our valiant soldiers foiled it. To achieve this objective, 20 of them had to lay down their lives. The nation shall remain grateful to those brave soldiers.

Though we reiterate our commitment to peace, our defence forces — Army, Air Force and Navy — are adequately mobilized in a well-coordinated move to thwart any attempt to undermine our security. Our national interest will be protected at all costs. We have also ensured a widespread understanding in the international community of India’s firm and principled stand.

India is moving forward and taking its rightful place in the world. During the recent years, its arc of influence has been expanding and encompassing the larger part of the world. The manner in which India got overwhelming support of the international community for its entry as non-permanent member in the Security Council this year is indicative of that influence.

By Paul Francis X. Fernandes Arab Times Staff