Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s remarks at the reception hosted by the  Ambassador of India

New York
September 15, 2005

Ambassador R. Sen, 
Brothers and Sisters, 
Friends, 

I am very pleased to have this opportunity to be with you again in this great city. I am here to participate in a special session of the UN General Assembly to mark the 60th anniversary of the UN. I have also met prominent world leaders assembled here, and have participated in the launch of the UN Democracy Fund. This visit and my previous visit to the US in July are part of a process of transforming our ties with this great country. These visits and my other interactions have a direct implication for India’s development and growth and I would like to share with you my thoughts today in that regard.

Let me begin by expressing my sympathy and sorrow at the calamity that overtook New Orleans and surrounding areas as a result of Hurricane Katrina. As a gesture of solidarity, India contributed 5 million dollars to the American Red Cross. It is only fitting that the world should respond to this enormous calamity with the same generosity that the United States has traditionally shown to similar disasters elsewhere. I am confident that Indian community and professional organizations are in the forefront of the effort to help the affected people. 

Developments back home should be a source of satisfaction to all of you who through your contributions and example have helped in the emergence of a modern resurgent India. Reforms of the last 15 years are making themselves felt in every corner of our life. Certainly, we still face formidable challenges in providing basic necessities for many of our people while also improving the quality of life for the rest. But there is a mood of confidence and optimism that those of you who have visited India recently would have sensed. This is reflected in our image abroad. Increasingly, India is getting highly favourable attention globally. One of my objectives on this visit, as indeed in most others, is to infuse confidence in the global investor community in their approach to India. I can tell you quite candidly that in my recent interactions with American CEOs, there appears to be a very promising assessment of India’s prospects.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is not only our achievements and potential in the economic field that has raised India’s image abroad. The significance of India as a working democracy that has grown under the most challenging conditions is increasingly appreciated worldwide. People abroad marvel at our ability to reconcile diversity and differences. They are astonished at our capability to conduct elections on such a large scale. They are struck by the smooth transfer of power at various levels. At a time when narrow and intolerant ideologies are fuelling terrorism all over the world, they see in our pluralist democracy the best defence against terror. We Indians take our democracy for granted, as do most Americans. But looking at the rest of the world, there is much that can be learnt from our example. For instance, just as developed economies can help others in transition, so too can developed democracies strengthen capacities and institutions in emerging democracies who desire such assistance. This is the purpose of the UN Democracy Fund which was launched yesterday by Secretary General Kofi Annan. As the world recognizes the importance of the democratic ethos, it will be difficult not to give due weight to the largest democracy in global decision-making processes.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Playing by the rules is an integral aspect of democracy, one that we instinctively imbibe as Indians. At home, this has been reflected in our very way of life. The rule of law is fundamental to our functioning. Equal respect for all religions and for the rights of minorities are but two examples of this ethos. The Indian community in the United States has achieved such enormous success so quickly precisely because we Indians felt at ease in another democracy. Both at an individual and collective level, this has led to an image of India as a responsible country. We have established our credentials in this regard in all global frameworks. India is seen as a rule-based player, as much in the WTO as in the UNO. Within the United States, I am aware that we Indians have equally acquired a reputation of being personally and professionally responsible. This brand image will stand us in good stead internationally. I congratulate you for your great contributions in changing the image of Indians all over the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Indian community in the United States has always supported reform and modernization of the Indian economy. Your successes abroad have contributed resources that have helped your mother country in difficult times. Your creativity and competitiveness have been the source of new ideas and inspiration for your brothers and sisters back home. Today, your success in this land of opportunity that the US is has earned India a very favorable reputation and built our image. I am confident that you will continue to support our national priorities and goals. I urge you, in particular, to focus your energies in the expansion and further development of Indo-US ties so that this becomes one of the principal relationships of the world. When weighty matters are taken up in US policy making circles, it is the impression of your contribution to this society that will shape its thinking. Your motherland thanks you for all that you have done and I am truly grateful for this opportunity to express those sentiments in person.

I wish each and every one of you well in your endeavours. May your path be blessed.

I thank you.