Patil urges successful Indian community in Laos to be ambassadors of goodwill, respect

Vientiane (Laos), Sept.9 (ANI): Urging the Indian community in Laos to continue with their distinctive contributions to furthering Indo-Laotian ties, visiting Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil said on Thursday evening that every overseas Indian is a representative of India.

Addressing a reception for the Indian community, which was hosted at the Hotel Lao Plaza by India's Ambassador to Laos, Dr. Jitendra Nath Mishra, President Patil said: "I know that, as peaceful and law abiding citizens, you act as ambassadors of India, winning goodwill and respect. As an overseas community you have made a distinctive contribution by virtue of your dedication, hard work and success."" It is also a matter of equal gratification to see amongst all of you, the cultural and scholarly effervescence which is characteristic of the Indian community," she added. Stating that she was happy to begin her visit with an interaction with the Indian community, Patil said the small yet growing Indian community in Laos is gaining recognition for its accomplishments. "Your achievements and attainments are in diverse areas from textiles to mining. I am also happy that several Indians here also work for the United Nations, multinational companies, consultancy organizations and financial institutions. Your growing contribution to Laos in your various vocations has won appreciation and recognition," she said.Referring to bilateral relations between India and Laos, she said while it was in essence civilizational, it was also modern and contemporary, covering areas like investment, trade, financial services, among others.

"At the leadership level, we have a consensus that there is immense potential to develop our relations in many fields, and thus take them to greater heights. I am happy that several corporate groups from India have participated in the development of important hydropower, irrigation, agarwood and mining projects in Laos. Your contribution to this country in meeting its developmental goals, is well recognized by both our Governments," Patil said. ommenting on the state of the Indian economy, she said it was now on the growth path after having weathered the impact of the global financial crises with resilience."In the last quarter, the economy has posted a remarkable growth, not only in terms of overall growth figures, but more importantly, in terms of certain fundamentals, which justify optimism and confidence in the Indian economy. We believe that this growth will not only qualitatively transform our economy, but will give a boost to economic relations with friendly countries, also offering them many opportunities for trade and investment," she said. he said that she had decided to undertake the journey to Laos to renew India's historic contacts with this country and build new bridges. "We attach a very high priority to relations to ASEAN countries within the context of our Look East Policy. Laos is a good friend, as also an important partner in the ASEAN. Tomorrow, when I meet the leadership of Laos we will review together the entire gamut of our relations, and seek ways to further develop our partnership," she said.

The Indian community in Laos, she said, plays a big role in this partnership that is jointly being resolved to build.

Members of the Indian community were present in large number on this occasion. By Praful Kumar Singh(ANI)