Speech by H.E. Ambassador Md. Noor Rahman Sheikh on the occasion of celebration of Republic Day of India at INDBATT Headquarters, Ebel Saqi on 9 February, 2025

Speech by H.E. Ambassador Md. Noor Rahman Sheikh on the occasion of celebration of Republic Day of India at INDBATT Headquarters, Ebel Saqi on 9 February, 2025

Lieutenant General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, Force Commander and Head of Mission, United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
Brigadier General Fernando Ruiz Gómez, Commanding Officer Sector East, UNIFIL
Major General  Stefano Messina, Commanding Officer Sector West, UNIFIL
Rear Admiral Richard Kesten, Commander, Marine Task Force
Representatives of Lebanese Armed Forces Mr Rawad Salloum, Superintendent Hasbayya
Mohammed Saab, Mayor of Chebba
Col Ajit Singh Negi, CONTICO & others, UNIFIL Battalion Commanders, peacekeepers, my dear fellow citizens, ladies and gentlemen.

Namaskar, Good Morning, Sabah Al Khair!

Let me begin by conveying my heartfelt greetings on the occasion of celebrating 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, with Ministerial-level interactions also taking place regularly. There has also been regular exchange of letters & messages between the leadership of both countries. We are happy that Lebanon 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.  I also had the honour to Call on the President on 29 January and presented my Letter of Credence to the President on 5 February.

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 authorities and people. India has also been proudly partnering with Lebanon for various developmental projects.

India gifted 33 tons of medicines to Lebanon in October last year. I had the honour to hand them over to the Health Minister of Lebanon.
India warmly welcomes Lebanon to the International Solar Alliance, which is headquartered at New Delhi. Last year, in August, Lebanon’s 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.

India and Lebanon also support each other regularly at various international fora and elections to the UN bodies.

I would also like to mention about the highly acclaimed ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) in Capacity building programs. India offers about 100 full package-slots to Lebanon every year; these are open to both Government officials and private professionals.

As a Yoga practitioner myself, I am quite elated at the huge popularity of Yoga in Lebanon.  In June last year, 8 Yoga events were organized as part of the 10th International Yoga Day including in UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura and here at the Indian Battalion.

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 working for providing support to the people in Area of responsibility of INDBATT. As part of 100 years of Universal Message of the famous poet Jubran Khalil Jubran, the Embassy will also be installing a bust of his close friend and Nobel Laureate and famous poet Rabindranath Tagore at the Jubran Museum Complex in Bsharre, based on the portrait painting of Tagore by Jubran in Tagore’s birthday on  this year.

On the Bilateral trade front, India remains ready to welcome more exports from Lebanon to India and also to support sourcing imports from India. The current bilateral trade figure of about 600 million $ could easily be enhanced to 1 billion $ in a couple of years. I strongly urge the Lebanese business community including from this region which has large olive and fruits plantation to further explore India. I am also confident that India and Lebanon will continue to have close and excellent relationship and Indian Battalion here will continue to be a very important part of this relationship.

 Long live India-Lebanon friendship! Jai Hind!

                                                                                                                                                                                     *****