Home › Speech by H.E. Ambassador Md. Noor Rahman Sheikh on the occasion of 76th Republic Day of India, Reception on 27 January, 2025
Speech by H.E. Ambassador Md. Noor Rahman Sheikh on the occasion of 76th Republic Day of India, Reception on 27 January, 2025
H.E. George Bouchikian, Minister of Industry representing President of the Republic of Lebanon General Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Excellencies Ministers, Members of Parliament, Excellency Ambassadors, Members of Diplomatic Corps, distinguished guests and my dear fellow citizens,
Good Evening, Masah Al Khair and my heartfelt greetings on the occasion of India’s 76th Republic Day!
On January 26th, 1950, the Constitution of India came into effect, transforming our country into a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic Republic. India had gained Independence on 15 August 1947 after the great leader Mahatma Gandhi had successfully led India’s Freedom Movement. Our Constitution, drafted under the visionary leadership of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other founding fathers, enshrines the ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. It provides a framework for governance, ensuring that every citizen’s rights are protected and that the nation thrives on the principles of democracy and the rule of law.
Today, as we gather here to celebrate this occasion, we recall the remarkable journey our nation has traveled since gaining independence. From being a newly independent nation with limited resources to becoming one of the largest economies in the world, India’s story is a testament to the resilience and determination of its people. Our progress is seen in every corner of the country – in advancements in science and technology, in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, and in our growing influence on the global stage.
India and Lebanon have completed 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. India opened its Embassy in Lebanon in 1954 and kept its Mission opened throughout despite several difficult phases that Lebanon underwent through.
We are glad that India has excellent relations with Lebanon. We are happy that this country and the wider region in the Middle East is steering towards peace and stability. Our leadership has also welcomed the election of HE President Gen Joseph Aoun.
India’s participation at UNIFIL, with deployment of an Indian Army Battalion of about 900 personnel to perform peacekeeping duties in South Lebanon, has now completed 26 years. We are delighted at the strong and positive reputation that our Battalion enjoys with the Lebanese Government and people.
India has also been proudly partnering with Lebanon for various developmental projects including Quick Impact projects, supply of medicines and humanitarian assistance, capacity building.
India gifted 33 tons of medicines to Lebanon in October last year. I had the honour to hand them over to HE Health Minister of Lebanon Dr. Firas Abiad.
India warmly welcomes Lebanon to the International Solar Alliance, which is headquartered at New Delhi. Last year, in August, Minister of Energy and Water HE Dr. Walid Fayad signed the International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement in Beirut. We firmly believe that Lebanon will greatly benefit from this membership in securing solar projects for the country through ISA.
India and Lebanon also support each other regularly at various international fora and elections to the UN bodies.
Last two years, India had hosted 3 sessions of the Voice of Global South Summit, to align with India’s G20 Presidency and our commitment to work closely with all countries of the Global South. We appreciate that Finance Minister of Lebanon H.E. Dr. Youssef El Khalil participated in the Finance Ministers’ Session of the Summit in August last year.
We hope that the Ministerial visit from Lebanon to India revived with the official visit of Industry Minister of Lebanon H.E. Mr. George Bouchikian to India in November 2023, will pick momentum in the year ahead.
I would also like to mention about the highly acclaimed ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) Capacity building programs. India offers 75 (civil) slots and 21 (Defence) slots to Lebanon every year. The civilian slots are open to both Government officials and private professionals. Government of India covers all the expenses including air tickets, hotel accommodation, boarding, training costs, local travel. I would like to encourage all the Lebanese friends to avail of this opportunity.
As a Yoga practitioner myself, I am quite elated at the huge popularity of Yoga in Lebanon. Every year, in June, International Day of Yoga is celebrated. In last year’s IDY, Yoga events were organized in eight different locations across Lebanon with cumulative participation of about 2000 persons including in Beirut, UNIFIL Headquarters at Naquora, Indian Battalion at Ebel Saqi, Tripoli, Chouf (Cedars), Byblos and the historical Baalbek Temple Ruins.
India will continue to regularly undertake Quick Impact Projects in various parts of Lebanon for the benefit of the Government and people of Lebanon. Just to mention a few, the Embassy will be holding Artificial Limb Fitment Camp (Jaipur Foot) at Rafic Hariri Hospital, Beirut this year to provide artificial limbs to about 500 disabled people; we will also be renovating a health Centre in Beqa; we will be assisting in solar lamp street lighting in Ketermaya Municipality etc. As part of 100 years of Universal Message of the famous poet Khalil Gibran, the Embassy will also be installing a bust of his close friend and Nobel Laureate and famout poet Rabindranath Tagore at the Gibran Museum Complex in Basharre. The bust is being prepared by Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) based on the portrait painting of Tagore by Gibran.
On the Bilateral trade front, India remains ready to welcome more exports from Lebanon to India and also to source imports from India. The current bilateral trade figure of about US$ 600 could easily be enhanced to US$ 1 billion in a couple of years. I strongly urge the Lebanese business community to explore India.
India believes in the concept of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ which means ‘Guest is god’ and respect and a high sense of responsibility is shown towards our guests/ tourists. I would like to urge Lebanese friends to visit and explore India. There could be a plenty of reasons to visit India- for tourism, Yoga, Ayurveda and medical value travel. As we also proudly say, Indian healthcare is world-class but available at very affordable rates.
As Lebanese friends may be aware, there used to be about 15000 Indian nationals in Lebanon some years ago. However, currently, there are around 2000 Indians in Lebanon including about 850 Indian nationals working in the new US Embassy Building Project. We are hoping that with the incoming peace and stability in the country and wider region and more economic opportunities coming into being, more Indian nationals may be planning to come to Lebanon. We are proud of our nationals who are our brand ambassadors and continue to work hard and make our country proud.
I am confident India and Lebanon will continue to have close and excellent relationship. Long live India-Lebanon friendship!
Jai Hind!
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