Says Amb. Ranganathan of India at 71st Republic of India Day celebration

Madam Sripriya Ranganathan, Ambassador of the Republic of India in Seoul, said, “This has been an eventful and productive year for the friendship between the government and people of India and the Republic of Korea; Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a state visit in February and President Moon Jae-in was one of the six world leaders invited to address a special event on Mahatma Gandhi organized by India and the United Nations at its General Assembly in September.” The remarks were made at a reception she hosted at the Convention Center in Gwangju on Jan. 31, 2020 in celebration of the 71st Republic Day of India.

President Moon Jae-in of Korea (left) gives a hearty applause to the remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India at a joint press conference at the Presidential Mansion of Cheong Wa Dae during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Korea in February 2019.
President Moon Jae-in of Korea (left) gives a hearty applause to the remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India at a joint press conference at the Presidential Mansion of Cheong Wa Dae during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Korea in February 2019.

Then she said: “India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid an official visit in September 2019. DAPA Minister visited India in April 2019. Other senior official, parliamentary and business delegations have been exchanged. We continue to work systematically to realize the elements of our Vision document on a future-oriented Special Strategic Partnership for People, Peace and Prosperity.”

President Moon (fourth from left) and Prime Minister Modi (left) are discussing ways to further expand bilateral cooperation at their meeting at the Osaka G20 Conference in Japan on June 28, 2019.
President Moon (fourth from left) and Prime Minister Modi (left) are discussing ways to further expand bilateral cooperation at their meeting at the Osaka G20 Conference in Japan on June 28, 2019.
President Moon and Minister Modi of India (left and right) at the Sky Observation Room on the Lotte World Tower ion Seoul on Feb. 21, 2019.
President Moon and Minister Modi of India (left and right) at the Sky Observation Room on the Lotte World Tower ion Seoul on Feb. 21, 2019.

 

Ambassador Ranganathan’s speech was followed by a congratulatory address by Governor Kim Yung-rok of the Jeollanam-do Province. Kim said: “India, one of the world's four great ancient civilizations, left significant marks in human history. Buddhism and Hinduism, which were originated in India, teach people how to find inner peace. India's deep spiritual world has been leading remarkable progress in science, economy, culture and literature in the globe.”

The reception was attended by many distinguished guests who included Mayor Lee Yong-sup of the Gwangju City, Ambassador Chang Jae-bok of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea in charge of Public Diplomacy.

President and Mrs. Moon (fourth and fifth from left) with Prime Minister Modi dedicate the Bust of Mahatra Gandh of India at Yonsei University in Seoul on Feburary 21, 2019
President and Mrs. Moon (fourth and fifth from left) with Prime Minister Modi dedicate the Bust of Mahatra Gandh of India at Yonsei University in Seoul on Feburary 21, 2019

 

There also were many distinguished guests from all walks of life from Korean society as well as the international community, the Seoul Diplomatic Corps, in particular.

From the media came many publishers and editors who included Chairperson Joy Cho of The Korea Post media, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean news publications for the past 35 years since 1985.

Among the Korean people, India is known as a “Country of Unlimited Possibilities and Opportunities.”

This large picture of President Moon (right) and Prime Minister Modi was hoisted in front of the lobby of the hotel where Moon and the Presidential entrage stayed during their visit to India. A sign reading in Hangeul Korean alphanet reads: “Welcome President to India!”
This large picture of President Moon (right) and Prime Minister Modi was hoisted in front of the lobby of the hotel where Moon and the Presidential entrage stayed during their visit to India. A sign reading in Hangeul Korean alphanet reads: “Welcome President to India!”

India has a total population of 1.37 billion people, of whom more than one half, or 850 million, are production-able people under the age of 27.

India ranks among the seventh in the world in terms of scale of economy (GDP) and the annual economic growth rate, according to the IMF in 2019 is 7.2%

According to an estimate of the IMF, India will emerge as the world’s fourth largest economy of the world within the next five years.

President Moon Jae-in has a very special report for, and interest in, India. As soon as he took office as the President of the Republic of Korea, President Moon sent his Special Envoy to India and disclosed that he will upgrade the Korea-India relations to the level of the four world powers around Korea.

Photo shows Korean Honorary Consul General Jeong Deok-min of India in Seoul with former Ambassador Skand R. Tayal of India for Korea. The red rose in a glass cup symbolizes vegetarianism.
Photo shows Korean Honorary Consul General Jeong Deok-min of India in Seoul with former Ambassador Skand R. Tayal of India for Korea. The red rose in a glass cup symbolizes vegetarianism.

The Korean government announced the New Southern Policy in November 2017, which encompasses India and the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and which told apart India as the key target country for Korea’s diplomatic diversification policies.

President Moon and Madam Kim Jung-sook made an official state visit to India in July 2018 and this was followed by another one made by Madam Kim to the country.

In return, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India visited Korea in February 2019. Prime Minister Modi showed strong interest in the Act East Policy which was aimed at further promoting the close ties of cooperation between the two countries.

There are more than 700 different Korean companies in India actively engaged in the economic cooperation between the two countries. They include the flag-ship Korean big businesses such as Samsung, Hyundai, LG and POSCO.

Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan of India, 9th from left, poses with Korean and international dignitaries attending a reception she hosted in Gwangju on Jan. 31, 2020 in celebration of the 71st Republic Day of India.
Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan of India, 9th from left, poses with Korean and international dignitaries attending a reception she hosted in Gwangju on Jan. 31, 2020 in celebration of the 71st Republic Day of India.
A cultural performance is presented at the reception venue in celebration of the 71st Republic Day of India.
A cultural performance is presented at the reception venue in celebration of the 71st Republic Day of India.
Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan of India and Vice Chairman Cho Kyung-hee of The Korea Post media (right and left) are posing for the camera at the National Day reception of India at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Gwangju, Jeollanam-do Province on Jan. 31, 2020.
Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan of India and Vice Chairman Cho Kyung-hee of The Korea Post media (right and left) are posing for the camera at the National Day reception of India at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Gwangju, Jeollanam-do Province on Jan. 31, 2020.

Excerpts from the speech of Ambassador Ranganathan of India:

Annyeong Hasseubnikka. Namaste.

On behalf of my colleagues at the Embassy of India in Seoul, I extend a very warm welcome to each and every one of you to our Republic day celebrations here in this beautiful and historic city of Gwangju. I am delighted that we are able to host this evening at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Centre. Given our shared commitment to democracy, this is fitting.

Allow me to wish everyone a happy, healthy and successful year ahead. As we are still in the week of Seollal festivities, I can also wish all of you a happy new year of the white mouse. Sae-hae-bok-mani-badae-saeyo!

It is now 71 years since the people of India adopted, enacted and gave to themselves their Constitution. This was the second major milestone in our nation building process, the first being the achievement of independence on August 15, 1947. With the framing and adoption of the Constitution - and the birth of the Indian Republic - we embraced the spirit of liberty, equality and fraternity among all citizens, irrespective of religion, region or community. We are very glad to be celebrating this day with you today in Gwangju.

Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan of India (third from left) Gwangju City Council Lee Yong-sup (fourth from left) Vice-Chairperson, Gwangju City Council, HE. Mr. Jang Jae Sung (fifth from left) are celebrated 71st Republic Day of India
Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan of India (third from left) Gwangju City Council Lee Yong-sup (fourth from left) Vice-Chairperson, Gwangju City Council, HE. Mr. Jang Jae Sung (fifth from left) are celebrated 71st Republic Day of India

This has been an eventful and productive year for the friendship between the Government and people of India and the ROK. PM Modi paid a State visit in February and President Moon Jae-in was one of 6 world leaders invited to address a special event on Mahatma Gandhi organised by India and the UN at UNGA in September. India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid an official visit in September 2019. DAPA Minister visited India in April 2019. Other senior official, parliamentary and business delegations have been exchanged. We continue to work systematically to realise the elements of our Vision document on a future-oriented Special Strategic Partnership for People, Peace and Prosperity. In this quest, we have been privileged to receive wholehearted cooperation from the officers of ROK MOFA.

Commercial and economic ties constitute a strong pillar of our bilateral ties. We have been working hard to facilitate two-way trade and investment by encouraging more frequent and more diverse interaction between Indian and Korean businesses, academic institutions, local Governments. As a result, we have crossed USD 21 billion of bilateral trade and new investment in sectors like automobiles, food processing, textile and meditech etc. We have seen Air India start a new and hugely convenient direct flight on the Delhi-Seoul sector. We continue to engage in negotiations for an upgrade of our comprehensive economic partnership agreement, in the faith that much more can be done once a new mutually-beneficial new agreement is reached.

Given the huge opportunities offered by the Indian economy, market, the talent and drive of the Indian and Korean people, the scope for beneficial collaboration is infinite. India's fast growing economy, backed by investor friendly policies of the Government of India, efforts to improve the ease of doing business and various central and provincial incentive packages for foreign investors, will no doubt be of immense interest to the Korean business community. I hope that the Embassy of India, Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea and the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be able to build this bond. I appreciate the effort made by ICCK President Mr. Sachin Satpute to join us here today and at the business event this morning.

In this regard, I am especially delighted to be able to focus our attention on building our ties through engagement with the Government, people and institutions of the metropolitan city of Gwangju, the "City of Light", the city that has been at the vanguard of the Korean democracy movement. The May 18 uprising of 1980 has solidified its position as a city of democracy, human rights and peace. It is also at the lead of Korea's green movement and one of the main centres of Korea's important automobile industry as well as renewable energy industries, eco-friendly transportation & e-mobility and Fourth Industrial Revolution industries. I am grateful to the Government of Gwangju Metropolitan City for supporting us in this event today and to its visionary Mayor for gracing this event today.

We also plan to deepen our relations with Jeollanam-do, a province whose strength in agricultural and marine, steel, shipbuilding and petrochemical industries offers opportunities for cooperation with Indian provinces with a similar profile. Jeollanam-do already has a sister state relationship with the Indian state of West Bengal and we would like to build on this. I am grateful to the Hon'ble Governor of Jeollanam-do for honoring us with his presence today.

I hope that this event today will encourage the people of Gwangju and Jeollanamdo to explore opportunities for cooperation with India and so boost India- Korea ties as a whole. In this, I also have faith that the Indian community here, primarily students, research scholars and academics at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Chonnam National University and Chosun University will play a leading role. I am so glad that we have been able to bring the Indian Embassy closer to you through our event today and look forward to remaining in close contact with you in the months to come.

I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge with gratitude the contribution of the Asia Culture Centre in fostering the cultural ties between Korea and India. Glimpses of Indian culture are presented to the citizens of Gwangju thanks to ACC's support in hosting our Sarang festival every year. We hope to further enhance this partnership in future. My wholehearted thanks to President Lee Jin-sik and his team.

I end by once again conveying my special thanks to Mayor of Gwangju LEE Yong-seop and Governor KIM Yung-rok for their invaluable support to promoting the business and cultural linkages with India. I also thank the Ambassador for Public Relations for the trouble he has taken to travel from Seoul to be with us today. And I thank the Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic community who have expressed their country's love for India by making this trip to Gwangju.

For all their work in the year past and all the work we have lined up for ourselves in the year to come, I depend entirely on my young, energetic and committed team at the Embassy in Seoul. Each and every person at the Embassy has worked tirelessly over the past few months and it is their faith and hard work that will allow us to press ahead on our challenging path. I also thank our dynamic Honorary Consul General in Busan for all his support to the Embassy's activities through the year. I count on his continued support.

Thank you all for being with us today. Gamsahamnida.

Excerpts from the congratulatory speech of Governor Kim Yung-rok:

Namaste! I am Kim Yung-rok, Governor of Jeollanamdo Province.

I express my heartfelt congratulations to Ambassador Ms. Sripriya Ranganathan on the 71st Republic Day of India. I also thank Madame Ambassador for her kind invitation to this meaningful event.

India, one of the world's four great ancient civilizations, left significant marks in human history. Buddhism and Hinduism, which were originated in India, teach people how to find inner peace. India's deep spiritual world has been leading remarkable progress in science, economy, culture and literature in the globe.

India-Jeollananmdo ties are closer than ever. When Madame Ambassador visited Jeollanamdo last December, I promised that my province will actively contribute to playing a bridging role in cooperation with India.

Through reciprocal state visits, Prime Minister Modi and President Moon reaffirmed that India and Korea are key partners to each other in both India’s Act East Policy and Korea’s New Southern Policy for prosperity in all of Asia.

I would like to pay my high tribute to Ambassador Ms. Sripriya Ranganathan for her vision, dynamism and dedication which have been instrumental in enhancing cooperation not only between India and Korea but also between India and Jeollanamdo.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please join me to give a big round of applause to Madame Ambassador for her outstanding leadership! (Applause)

Jeollanamdo Province has also accelerated its efforts for cooperation with India. Jeollanamdo Province and West Bengal State in India established an MOU last February and have deepened our ties by promoting various exchange programs. Last year, my province announced the vision for the new millennium of ‘Clean Jeollanamdo, Blue Economy’ with six core projects: Blue Energy, Blue Tour, Blue Bio, Blue Transport, Blue Agriculture and Fisheries, and Blue City. Jeollanamdo will expand cooperation with Indian regional governments in those areas for a shared future of co-prosperity.

We look forward to being guided onto a fruitful path for cooperation under Madame Ambassador’s outstanding leadership.

In closing, on behalf of 2 million Jeollanamdo people, I once again extend my sincere congratulations on the Republic Day of India.

Dhanyabad.

 

 

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