Showing posts with label Chabahar Port. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chabahar Port. Show all posts

Friday, 24 June 2016

India's membership of SCO would contribute to region's prosperity and strengthen its security: PM


Your Excellency Mr. Ismail Karimov,
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan,
Leaders of the Members States of Shanghai
Cooperation Organization;
Invited Leaders
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
 
|
Almost a year ago, I started my journey of Central Asian countries from Tashkent. 
I still remember the warmth and generous welcome of Excellency Karimov and Uzbek people.

Let me join others in thanking you Excellency Karimov for you hospitality and excellent arrangements for this meeting.

At the Ufa Summit last year, conducted so ably by President Putin, the SCO leaders had accepted India as its full member.

It was a landmark in India's engagement with SCO.

Later today, we will sign the Memorandum of Obligations.

With this we would formalize the process of India's membership of the SCO.

And, as a logical extension India's age old ties with the region, one-sixth of humanity will join the family of SCO.

We are indeed grateful to the SCO Member States and its leaders for their overwhelming support for India’s membership of the SCO.

I also welcome Pakistan as the new member of the SCO and Belarus as a first time Observer to this body.

Excellencies,

India is not new to the region. Our historic linkages with you are centuries old. And, its just not geography that connects us. Our societies have been enriched by links of culture, cusine and commerce.

They form the bed rock of our modern day relationships with Russia, China and the countries of Central Asia.

Excellencies,

With India as its full member, SCO boundaries would stretch from the Pacific to Europe; and from the Arctic to the Indian Ocean.

We would represent forty percent of humanity and over a billion youth.

To this group, India brings principles that are in tune with the philosophies of the SCO.

India has always enjoyed good relations with the Eurasian land mass.

We also share global goals of stability, security and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific.

India would no doubt benefit from SCO's strengths in energy, natural resources and industry.

In turn, India's strong economy and its vast market could drive economic growth in the SCO region.

India's capacities in trade, investments, information and communication technology, Space, S&T, agriculture, health care, small and medium scale industry can bring wide spread economic benefit to the SCO countries.

We can partner to develop human resources and institutional capacities in the region.

Since our priorities match, our development experiences would be relevant to your national needs.
|
Excellencies,

The interdependent world of twenty-first century is full of economic opportunities.

It also faces geo-political complexities and security challenges.

And, connectivity among the countries of the region is crucial to our economic prosperity.

And, not just physical connectivity.

What we need is seamless flow of goods, services, capital and people among ourselves.

But, that alone is not enough.

Our region also needs to nurture strong rail, road and air links with the rest of the world.

Within SCO, India will be a productive partner in building strong trade, transport, energy, digital and people to people links.

Our decision to join the international North South Transport Corridor, the Chabahar Agreement, and Ashgabat Agreement reflects this desire and intent.

Excellencies,

India's membership of SCO would contribute to region's prosperity. It would also strengthen its security. Our partnership will protect our societies from the threats of radical ideologies of hate, violence and terror.

India will unite with SCO countries to work towards this goal. And, we will adopt zero tolerance and a comprehensive approach in fighting terrorism at all levels.

With the same goal in sight, a stable, independent and peaceful Afghanistan is not just a sincere desire of each Afghan. It is also necessary for greater security and stability in the SCO region.

In conclusion Mr. Chairman,

I am confident that India's engagement with all SCO members will help us build a region:

Which is an engine of economic growth for the world;Is more stable and secure internally; and Strongly connected with other geographies.
|
Excellencies,

Next year, we look forward to attending SCO meeting in Astana, as equal partners.

I wish all success to Kazhakstan in their Chairmanship of SCO in 2017.

I once again thank the Government and the people of Uzbekistan for their hospitality and congratulate Excellency Karimov for conducting today’s successful meeting.

Ref:  http://www.narendramodi.in/category/speeches


Monday, 23 May 2016

India and Iran are not new friends. Our dosti is as old as history: PM Modi

Your Excellency President Rouhani,
Friends,
Thank you,
Excellency for your warm and wise words.

I am also grateful to you for the gracious hospitality given to me and my delegation. On behalf of the 1.25 billion Indians, I extend warm greetings to the friendly people of Iran. Through ages, the beauty and richness of the Persian heritage has attracted the world to Iran. For me, visiting Iran, is indeed a great privilege.
Excellency,

India and Iran are not new friends. Our dosti is as old as history. Through centuries, our societies have stayed connected through art and architecture, ideas and traditions, and culture and commerce. As friends and neighbours, we have shared interest in each other’s growth and prosperity, and joys and sorrows. We can never forget that Iran was among the first countries to come forward in support when earthquake struck my state, Gujarat, in 2001. Similarly, India is proud to have stood with the people of Iran during your difficult times. I compliment the leadership of Iran for their far-sighted diplomacy.
Excellency,

We had last met in Ufa in 2015. Your leadership and the clarity of your vision have deeply impressed me. In our meeting today, we focused on the full range of our bilateral engagement. We exchanged views on the emerging regional situation and global issues of common concern. The agenda and scope of our partnership is truly substantial. The outcomes and agreements signed today open a new chapter in our strategic partnership. The welfare of our people is guiding our broad based economic ties. Expanded trade ties, deeper connectivity, including Railways partnerships in oil and gas sector fertilizers education and cultural sphere are driving our overall economic engagement. The bilateral agreement to develop the Chahbahar port and related infrastructure, and availability of about US$ 500 million from India for this purpose, is an important milestone. This major effort would boost economic growth in the region. We are committed to take steps for early implementation of the agreements signed today.

Friends,

Later today we are going to sign the trilateral Transport and Transit Agreement with participation of Iran, India and Afghanistan. It will be a historic occasion. It will open new routes for India, Iran and Afghanistan to connect among themselves. India and Iran also share a crucial stake in peace, stability and prosperity of the region. We also have shared concerns at the spread of forces of instability, radicalism and terror in our region. We have agreed to consult closely and regularly on combating threats of terrorism, radicalism, drug trafficking and cyber crime. We have also agreed to enhance interaction between our defence and security institutions on regional and maritime security.


Friends,

The past history of our ties has been rich. President Rouhani and I would leave no stone unturned to work for its glorious future. Our friendship will be a factor of stability in our region. Later today, I look forward to calling on His eminence the Hon’ble Supreme Leader to advance our ties further.
Excellency Rouhani,

I look forward to welcoming you in India to carry forward the agenda of our engagement Where we are now and where we could be is most beautifully said in a couplet from Ghalib. Let me end with it:

जनूनत गरबे नफ्से-खुद तमाम अस्त
ज़े-काशी पा-बे काशान नीम गाम अस्त
[Means: Once we make up our mind, the distance between Kaashi and Kaashan is only half a step]

I once again sincerely thank you, Excellency for inviting me to Iran.
I also thank you all.

Ref: http://www.narendramodi.in/category/speeches