Diplomatic ties fly high in Wellington
The 66th Indian Republic Day celebrations in Wellington was one of the biggest events in years. Hosted and organised by Mrs Sharmila Thapar, wife of His Excellency the High Commissioner of India in New Zealand Mr Ravi Thapar, the show was attended by Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic corps, from different parts of the world along with other distinguished guests from the Kiwi Indian and the larger Kiwi community. The High Commissioners from the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Israel and Pakistan graced the event with their presence.
Amongst other guests at the occasion were prominent business leaders, Minister of Ethnic Affairs Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, MP Andrew Little and his wife, Honorable Mayor of Wellington Paul Foster Bell and Honorary Consuls from various countries. The celebrations were inaugurated by the lighting of the lamp by the Indian High Commissioner and Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga , followed by a brief speech on India’s economy and its rich culture.
The celebration back in India this year was a huge success, making history with the presence of US President Barrack Obama . But the celebration in New Zealand also made history with it being the biggest celebration of the Indian Republic Day, so far with the High Commissioner of the United States in attendance. Mr Thapar left no stone unturned in making this event a success.
We bring you a photo feature of the event along with the content of the speech by His Excellency- Mr Ravi Thapar.
"Let me begin by extending sincere thanks and appreciation for your gracious presence at this celebration of India's 66th Republic Day this evening. My wife and I have been in this beautiful country for a little more than a year but already feel that we have been here for always. Such is the warmth, affection and hospitality of the Kiwis! Similar sentiments, we understand, also motivate the large number of Indians who have migrated to New Zealand and made it their permanent home.
Ladies and Gentlemen, during its journey of 65 years as a Republic, India has matured into a US$2.1 trillion economy, which in terms of Purchasing Power Parity, translates into its being the third largest economy in the world. Having evolved through long periods of indigenous kingship and foreign rule, India deeply values its strong democratic foundations. Although nourished by its ancient civilizational heritage and spiritual ethos, it actively pursues the use of scientific and technological tools for securing a better and prosperous future for its teeming millions. India's immense pool of scientists and engineers has always done the country proud. A few months ago, in September 2014, they excelled themselves when India became the first country in the world to put an indigenously-designed and manufactured satellite vehicle into the Mars orbit in the very first attempt, that too, at a record economical cost of US$ 74 million, which is less than what it cost to shoot the Hollywood blockbuster 'Gravity'!
In the current era of globalization, Internet & social media, jet travel and speedy telecommunications, the whole world has shrunk into a global community. Economic prosperity and development are no longer merely a domestic policy concern or objective. Various critical, global issues today are not just addressed in parliaments and multilateral gatherings. The social media and the virtual international community too have a considerable say in these matters. As more and more people connect with the global highway, the role of the virtual international community will become even more pronounced. Global benchmarks and multilateral negotiations can have a significant bearing on any initiatives being attempted for augmenting technology, capital and projects for upgrading infrastructure in any country. International cooperation between all countries, howsoever remote and distant they might be, is hence of high priority.
In light of this background, India has been taking principled and informed positions, based on discussions with like-minded democracies, on various issues such as poverty alleviation, women empowerment, climate change, reform of the international monetary and financial architecture, international terrorism and all such matters. As the most populous democracy in the world, it looks forward to partnering with all nations for forging international consensus on these important themes. We sincerely hope and believe that given India's sustained and active contribution to all such discussions, it will also have opportunities to contribute more tangibly to such issues in the future, as a permanent member of a reformed and expanded UN Security Council.
As the world grapples with chronic trouble spots in the Middle East and in other parts of the world, and mankind becomes more and more embroiled in the race for political influence and power and weapons, the Indian time-honoured principles of peace, ‘ahimsa’ [non-violence], democratic governance, yoga and belief in a unified and universal spiritual consciousness, which have been extolled in India for centuries, assume a special significance. It is in this light, that as proposed by Hon'ble Prime Minister of India at the UN General Assembly in September 2014, a record 177 nations out of the 193 UN members endorsed India's resolution / proposal for declaring the 21st of June as the 'International Yoga Day'.
The current trends of economic interdependence and electronic connectivity also influence bilateral relations between India and New Zealand. In earlier years, the immense geographical divide between India and New Zealand posed serious constraints in intensifying linkages. Today, experts and centres of excellence in both democracies can go digital and jointly evolve positions on various critical issues confronting the world today. The presence of a large overseas Indian community also facilitates such linkages. It is noteworthy that after the last General Elections in New Zealand in September 2014, three members of the Indian origin community have made it to the august portals of New Zealand Parliament. Exchange of high-level visits in recent years – from New Zealand at the level of Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and other Cabinet-level ministers and from India at the level of the Speaker of the Lower House of Indian Parliament, Deputy Chairperson of the Upper House of Indian Parliament and several Cabinet Ministers – have added to the momentum of ongoing ties.
Both countries have already laid down an extensive, theoretical framework for strengthening bilateral relations by finalizing MoUs for enhancing cooperation in the fields of Agriculture, Education, Science & Technology, Audio-Visual cooperation and promoting exchanges between supervisory authorities in the Banking Sector. A Free Trade Agreement and a more elaborate Air Services Agreement for facilitating better air linkages and connectivity are also being negotiated. What is now important is to give practical shape to some of the objectives enshrined in these bilateral arrangements.
The prospects for strengthening ongoing cooperation between both countries are hence positive and promising. New Zealand is not merely a major global supplier of agricultural goods and primary commodities. Rather, many companies here have developed smart and innovative technologies which cannot be commercialized easily due to New Zealand’s modest-sized market. Given India's rich reservoir of scientists and engineers, professionals and consultants, substantial market and huge middle class and ever-burgeoning economic requirements and expanding investments in infrastructural projects, New Zealand businesses can work closely with their Indian counterparts for commercializing such technologies for sale not only in India but also in other markets. The bilateral trade turnover in 2014 was approximately to the tune of NZ$ 1.1 billion. There are significant opportunities for enhancing such engagement. And the investment flows need not only be geared towards India. Rather, as has just been established through the allocation of a large offshore block off the Taranaki coast to ONGC Videsh Ltd. - which is a subsidiary of its US$ 58 billion parent company Oil & Natural Gas Commission of India - Indian companies and corporate majors could also invest in tangible projects in New Zealand.
We, at this High Commission, look forward to working with all sections of the New Zealand political, official and business community in stepping up multi-faceted cooperation between both countries in all these areas. A good beginning has already been made with the establishment of the New Zealand India Friendship Association [ nzifa.org.nz] under the patronage of the High Commission. Poised to connect centres of excellence and leading members of the professional, business and talented stakeholder communities in India and New Zealand, the NZIFA can go a long way in deepening ongoing bilateral engagement between both countries.
With these sentiments, may I now invite all the distinguished invitees assembled here to join me in proposing a toast for -
The Head of State and Queen of New Zealand, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second
For the future prosperity, good health and well-being of the warm and friendly people of New Zealand
For the continued friendship and close and fraternal ties between India and New Zealand and also between India and all countries represented here this evening
Thank you and Namaskaar!
The 66th Indian Republic Day celebrations in Wellington was one of the biggest events in years. Hosted and organised by Mrs Sharmila Thapar, wife of His Excellency the High Commissioner of India in New Zealand Mr Ravi Thapar, the show was attended by Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic...
The 66th Indian Republic Day celebrations in Wellington was one of the biggest events in years. Hosted and organised by Mrs Sharmila Thapar, wife of His Excellency the High Commissioner of India in New Zealand Mr Ravi Thapar, the show was attended by Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic corps, from different parts of the world along with other distinguished guests from the Kiwi Indian and the larger Kiwi community. The High Commissioners from the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Israel and Pakistan graced the event with their presence.
Amongst other guests at the occasion were prominent business leaders, Minister of Ethnic Affairs Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, MP Andrew Little and his wife, Honorable Mayor of Wellington Paul Foster Bell and Honorary Consuls from various countries. The celebrations were inaugurated by the lighting of the lamp by the Indian High Commissioner and Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga , followed by a brief speech on India’s economy and its rich culture.
The celebration back in India this year was a huge success, making history with the presence of US President Barrack Obama . But the celebration in New Zealand also made history with it being the biggest celebration of the Indian Republic Day, so far with the High Commissioner of the United States in attendance. Mr Thapar left no stone unturned in making this event a success.
We bring you a photo feature of the event along with the content of the speech by His Excellency- Mr Ravi Thapar.
"Let me begin by extending sincere thanks and appreciation for your gracious presence at this celebration of India's 66th Republic Day this evening. My wife and I have been in this beautiful country for a little more than a year but already feel that we have been here for always. Such is the warmth, affection and hospitality of the Kiwis! Similar sentiments, we understand, also motivate the large number of Indians who have migrated to New Zealand and made it their permanent home.
Ladies and Gentlemen, during its journey of 65 years as a Republic, India has matured into a US$2.1 trillion economy, which in terms of Purchasing Power Parity, translates into its being the third largest economy in the world. Having evolved through long periods of indigenous kingship and foreign rule, India deeply values its strong democratic foundations. Although nourished by its ancient civilizational heritage and spiritual ethos, it actively pursues the use of scientific and technological tools for securing a better and prosperous future for its teeming millions. India's immense pool of scientists and engineers has always done the country proud. A few months ago, in September 2014, they excelled themselves when India became the first country in the world to put an indigenously-designed and manufactured satellite vehicle into the Mars orbit in the very first attempt, that too, at a record economical cost of US$ 74 million, which is less than what it cost to shoot the Hollywood blockbuster 'Gravity'!
In the current era of globalization, Internet & social media, jet travel and speedy telecommunications, the whole world has shrunk into a global community. Economic prosperity and development are no longer merely a domestic policy concern or objective. Various critical, global issues today are not just addressed in parliaments and multilateral gatherings. The social media and the virtual international community too have a considerable say in these matters. As more and more people connect with the global highway, the role of the virtual international community will become even more pronounced. Global benchmarks and multilateral negotiations can have a significant bearing on any initiatives being attempted for augmenting technology, capital and projects for upgrading infrastructure in any country. International cooperation between all countries, howsoever remote and distant they might be, is hence of high priority.
In light of this background, India has been taking principled and informed positions, based on discussions with like-minded democracies, on various issues such as poverty alleviation, women empowerment, climate change, reform of the international monetary and financial architecture, international terrorism and all such matters. As the most populous democracy in the world, it looks forward to partnering with all nations for forging international consensus on these important themes. We sincerely hope and believe that given India's sustained and active contribution to all such discussions, it will also have opportunities to contribute more tangibly to such issues in the future, as a permanent member of a reformed and expanded UN Security Council.
As the world grapples with chronic trouble spots in the Middle East and in other parts of the world, and mankind becomes more and more embroiled in the race for political influence and power and weapons, the Indian time-honoured principles of peace, ‘ahimsa’ [non-violence], democratic governance, yoga and belief in a unified and universal spiritual consciousness, which have been extolled in India for centuries, assume a special significance. It is in this light, that as proposed by Hon'ble Prime Minister of India at the UN General Assembly in September 2014, a record 177 nations out of the 193 UN members endorsed India's resolution / proposal for declaring the 21st of June as the 'International Yoga Day'.
The current trends of economic interdependence and electronic connectivity also influence bilateral relations between India and New Zealand. In earlier years, the immense geographical divide between India and New Zealand posed serious constraints in intensifying linkages. Today, experts and centres of excellence in both democracies can go digital and jointly evolve positions on various critical issues confronting the world today. The presence of a large overseas Indian community also facilitates such linkages. It is noteworthy that after the last General Elections in New Zealand in September 2014, three members of the Indian origin community have made it to the august portals of New Zealand Parliament. Exchange of high-level visits in recent years – from New Zealand at the level of Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and other Cabinet-level ministers and from India at the level of the Speaker of the Lower House of Indian Parliament, Deputy Chairperson of the Upper House of Indian Parliament and several Cabinet Ministers – have added to the momentum of ongoing ties.
Both countries have already laid down an extensive, theoretical framework for strengthening bilateral relations by finalizing MoUs for enhancing cooperation in the fields of Agriculture, Education, Science & Technology, Audio-Visual cooperation and promoting exchanges between supervisory authorities in the Banking Sector. A Free Trade Agreement and a more elaborate Air Services Agreement for facilitating better air linkages and connectivity are also being negotiated. What is now important is to give practical shape to some of the objectives enshrined in these bilateral arrangements.
The prospects for strengthening ongoing cooperation between both countries are hence positive and promising. New Zealand is not merely a major global supplier of agricultural goods and primary commodities. Rather, many companies here have developed smart and innovative technologies which cannot be commercialized easily due to New Zealand’s modest-sized market. Given India's rich reservoir of scientists and engineers, professionals and consultants, substantial market and huge middle class and ever-burgeoning economic requirements and expanding investments in infrastructural projects, New Zealand businesses can work closely with their Indian counterparts for commercializing such technologies for sale not only in India but also in other markets. The bilateral trade turnover in 2014 was approximately to the tune of NZ$ 1.1 billion. There are significant opportunities for enhancing such engagement. And the investment flows need not only be geared towards India. Rather, as has just been established through the allocation of a large offshore block off the Taranaki coast to ONGC Videsh Ltd. - which is a subsidiary of its US$ 58 billion parent company Oil & Natural Gas Commission of India - Indian companies and corporate majors could also invest in tangible projects in New Zealand.
We, at this High Commission, look forward to working with all sections of the New Zealand political, official and business community in stepping up multi-faceted cooperation between both countries in all these areas. A good beginning has already been made with the establishment of the New Zealand India Friendship Association [ nzifa.org.nz] under the patronage of the High Commission. Poised to connect centres of excellence and leading members of the professional, business and talented stakeholder communities in India and New Zealand, the NZIFA can go a long way in deepening ongoing bilateral engagement between both countries.
With these sentiments, may I now invite all the distinguished invitees assembled here to join me in proposing a toast for -
The Head of State and Queen of New Zealand, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second
For the future prosperity, good health and well-being of the warm and friendly people of New Zealand
For the continued friendship and close and fraternal ties between India and New Zealand and also between India and all countries represented here this evening
Thank you and Namaskaar!
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