Embassy of India

ABIDJAN - COTE D'IVOIRE

Your Excellency Mr. President,

1. It is my honour and a great privilege to be appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Republic of Liberia. At the outset, I would like to thank the Protocol of the Government of the Republic of Liberia for the warm reception since my arrival here in Monrovia.

2. I take this opportunity to convey to you Mr. President, warm greetings and best wishes from the President of India H.E. Mr. Ram Nath Kovind, whom I had the privilege to call on just before my departure from Delhi for Abidjan. He wished for the happiness and wellbeing of Your Excellency and your family as well as for the peace, stability and prosperity of the Liberia.

3. I also had the opportunity to be debriefed in Delhi by the then Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs, H.E. Mr.M.J.Akbar , who visited Republic of Liberia  in March 2018. While conveying that he was extremely impressed with your beautiful country and the leadership Your Excellency has been providing to Liberia, he also conveyed his personal regards to your Excellency.

4. Excellency, it is a matter of great satisfaction that our long history of friendship and cooperation characterized by our shared commitment for peace, development and democracy, has been fostered and grown deeper within the framework of international norms.

5. Excellency, the current world economic situation and the challenges posed by fast evolving political developments around the globe, call for closer cooperation among the countries of the South. Over the years our two countries have been working together on international issues. Liberia has always supported India’s request for support of its candidatures at elections at UN bodies, as well as India’s positions on matters of global importance at International Forums. I wish to therefore seize this opportunity to express gratitude to friendly government of Liberia. India looks forward to your continued support, especially for India’s greater role within the United Nations.

6. Excellency, I would like reiterate that India firmly believes that there is a need for comprehensive reforms of global political and financial institutions, particularly the expansion of the UN Security Council in both permanent and non-permanent categories to effectively respond to global challenges that reflect contemporary geo-political realities.

7. Excellency, As India is engaged in extensive consultations globally on this issue, we look forward to work together with your country on issues of global importance particularly on the reform of UNSC.

8. Excellency, India is committed to sharing its experience in sustainable socio-economic development and its expertise in Nation-building with other developing countries particularly with Africa. India's engagement with Africa has always been guided by a simple principle and that is to follow African priorities, which is to liberate Africa’s potential and not constrain its future. India always relies on African talent and skills and also help to build as much local capacity to create as many local opportunities as possible. India, with this approach has been intensifying and deepening our engagements with Africa.

9. Excellency, we have witnessed the crucial role that Information and Communication Technology can play in economic development. Projects such as the Pan African e-Network currently operationised in 53 AU member countries reflect India’s desire to share its experience in IT and the knowledge sector to Africa, in order to help bridge the digital divides. It is pleasing to note that Liberia recently joined the ranks of other fellow African countries to derive these benefits, with the Tele-medicine facility  based at the JFK Medical Center, the VVIP Network facility based at LIBTELCO, and the Tele-education based at the University of Liberia.

10. Excellency, under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Program, scholarships and facilities are extended to students, professionals and experts of Liberia for training courses in India in various fields. Liberia now has 40 slots each year under the ITEC Program. India Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) offers 8 scholarships each academic year to Liberian Students as part of its Africa Scholarship Scheme for higher studies, especially at Masters and Doctorate levels in Indian Universities and Institutes. Liberia have also been benefiting from other capacity building training in India under the decisions of the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS).

11. Excellency, India commends your commitment in the rebuilding Liberia through the initiative of Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development, which reflect your visionary stewardship. I would like to assure your Excellency that the Government of India would be willing to cooperate with Liberia on this laudable initiative.

12. Excellency, there are great potential for win~win cooperation between our two countries and our present bilateral trade and investment are below the actual potential. Greater India-Liberia economic and commercial partnership through private investment, joint ventures and technical tie-ups could be an epitome of South-South Cooperation, driven by demand, non-conditional yet a win-win approach. It would be my honour to encourage more Indian investors to invest in Liberia, particularly in crucial sectors of the economy such as agriculture, rural development, microfinance, infrastructure, energy, and oil and gas sectors.

13. On this short note, Excellency, I have the honour to present to you the Letter of Credence from the President of the Republic of India accrediting me as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Republic of Liberia.

14. Excellency, the President of India has also enjoined upon me the duty to present the Letter of Recall of my predecessor, H.E. R. Ravindra.

15. Excellency, I wish to avail this opportunity to convey to Your Excellency my sincere gratitude for receiving me today. I shall do my utmost to carry out responsibilities that devolve upon me with this ceremony.  I would like to convey to Your Excellency and the friendly people of Liberia the assurances of my highest consideration