THE REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA

Mesić: We should have achieved more in relations with India

 

President Stjepan Mesić, accompanied by the First Lady Milka Mesić, attended the reception on the occasion of The Republic Day of India, held in the Westin Hotel on January 26, hosted by the Ambassador Pradeep Singh and his spouse Khiran Singh.

 

On this occasion, H.E. Singh presented the Croatian President Mesić with the Croatian edition of Mahatma Gandhi's book "The Story of My Experiments with Truth". Welcoming the gathered guests from the political, public and economic life of Croatia at the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Republic of India's Constitution by the Indian Parliament, Ambassador Singh said:

 

8 Indian companies present in Croatia

- Our two countries share a deep respect and esteem for each other and are committed to work towards the development of these relations for the mutual benefit of the people of our two countries. Our relationship encompasses regular political dialogue, growing economic relations and more importantly, friendly contacts between the people of our two countries. Croatia has moved rapidly towards harmonious integration with trans-Atlantic and European political, economic and security institutions. India remains committed to intensifying its engagement with the global community of nations and, because of our historical and civilizational contacts, will always have a special place for Croatia in its heart. At a bilateral level trade continues to be growing though our actual potential is yet to be realized. India is looking at participating in the Croatian economy through enhanced trade and investments. I am happy to state that 8 Indian companies now have a regular presence in Croatia and investments have commenced. Indian IT companies have entered the Croatian market and are executing contracts for major Croatian companies. More importantly, people to people contacts are being intensified through the presence of a large number of non-Governmental organizations imparting education and training in Indian languages, dance, music, yoga, traditional medicines and tourism. On our part, we have been pleased to establish this year a long-term Chair of Indian studies in the Zagreb University which we hope will contribute to sustain interest in each other's cultures and languages - said H.E. Singh.

Economic growth of India

In his address, Ambassador Singh stressed that India has shown resilience to the global crisis. Thanks to its robust domestic market, India has managed to achieve a GDP growth of 6.7% of its trillion dollar economy during the last fiscal year, and a remarkable feature of the Indian economy is that over 80% of its GDP is now being contributed by the industrial and service sectors, despite increase in the agricultural productivity.

Croatia and India are associated with friendship and good economic relations that started before the achievement of out independence. I have to say openly, and this criticism is addressed primarily to the Croatian side, that in the past two decades we have not continued to build on the existing foundations in the best way. We could have and should have achieved more - said President Stjepan Mesić in his speech and continued:

President Mesić regrets

- Still, I am deeply convinced that one of the elements which will remain permanently present in Croatia's foreign policy after the ten years of my presidential mandate, and the orientation towards the countries from other continents, that is to all countries which, on the basis of equality, want good relations with us, regardless of their geographical position. Europe has been and remains our priority, the United States of America are our important partner in international relations, but the Europe and the United States do not make the world. The world is far more than that. We see India not only as the largest functioning democracy in the world, not only as the country with which we have, and we should continue to build friendly relations, but also as a country that is increasingly profiling itself as one of the leaders in many areas in the global framework. In other words, a time is coming when it will be impossible to imagine the development of the international scene and relations without India, as well as, after all, without some other countries that no one thought of a few decades ago. I still fondly recall my official visit to India and I regret that during my term of office a visit of the Indian President to the Republic of Croatia could not be realized.
After the official part of the reception, the guests enjoyed a traditional Kathak dance, which was carried out by the inspired dancers Ana Suryawanshi and Matea Bilać. Kathak is the major classical dance form of northern India. The word Kathak means "to tell a story, and it is derived from the dance dramas of ancient India. After their dance, Mrs. Mesić and Mrs. Singh thanked the dancers and handed them bouquets, and then the guests enjoyed the pleasures of specialties of the rich Indian cuisine.

 

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Traditional Kathak dance, which was carried out by the inspired dancers Ana Suryawanshi and Matea Bilać

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All guests, including photoreporters were fascinated by gracefull dancers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Vesna Pusić, vice-president of the Croatian Parliament and Mr. Davor Bozinovic, State Secretary for Political Affairs at the Foreign Affairs Ministry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Suresh Khurana, second secretary of Indian embassy in Zagreb with wife Mrs. Kamal Khurana

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Gordana Popović, our lifestyle editor with Swami Vivek Puri, president of "Yoga in daily life" organisation in Croatia