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Cyprus supports India's bid for permanent UNSC membership | On the last day of her six-day state visit to London and Cyprus, President Pratibha Devisingh Patil met Cyprus President Demitris Christofias at the Presidential
Palace in Nicosia, and was told that Cyprus supports India's bid for permanent membership in the UNSC. India has the world's second largest population and is
the world's largest liberal democracy. It is also the world's twelfth largest
economy and fourth largest in terms of purchasing power parity. Currently, India
maintains the world's third largest armed force. India is the third largest contributor
of troops to United Nations Peacekeeping missions after Pakistan and Bangladesh.
India's bid for permanent UNSC membership has been unequivocally backed by permanent
members France, Russia and the United Kingdom. China has recently supported the
bid. Chile, Australia and the African Union have openly supported India's candidacy.
Patil was given a guard of honour and paid floral tribute to the late Archbishop
Makarios. Both presidents shared their views on bilateral, regional and internationalissues
of importance to the two countries. Patil expresessed India's support for Cyprus
becoming a member of the EU and the Euro Zone, saying that New Delhi saw an opportunity
to build its economic and technological relations for mutual benefit. "India considers
Cyprus a time-tested and valuable ally. We appreciate its support for India's
permanent membership of the UN Security Council. Our shared commitment to freedom
and democracy, multi-religious and multi-cultural society and common outlook on
major regional and international issues, provide the basis for close cooperation
in international forums," Patil said. "We have expressed our solidarity to India
and the Indian people on their struggle to combat terrorism. Cyprus joins it in
the fight against international terrorism with in the context of international
law and its respect of human rights and individuals' freedom," said President
Christofias. Earlier, Patil addressed the non-resident Indian community in Nicosia.
Praising the contributions of the community to building the warm ties between
India and Cyprus, she said: " Indians abroad are well known for being responsible
citizens of the countries of their domicile. I have no doubt that each one of
you is contributing, in your own way, towards the progress of Cyprus. You are
also very important bridges of friendship between our two countries and I hope
that during your stay and work here, you will contribute to further cementing
the long standing ties between India and Cyprus." She also informed the community
about the Indian Government's plans to expand the infrastructure sector, which
she added would open "numerous opportunities for investment in roads, airports,
shipping, energy among many others." "India is also a large market in which the
middle class has been growing. This makes it an attractive market, which has considerable
purchasing capacity. We are expanding our education and healthcare sectors as
essential pillars for building a human resource that is educated and healthy.
We look at inclusive growth as important goal and hence, the Government has taken
up social welfare programmes in whose implementation, civil society and NGOs are
important partners. This is another field in which Indians abroad can play a role.
I hope that you will support these efforts," she added. A mention was also made
about the Government of India's initiatives for ensuring the well being of people
of Indian origin living abroad. In this regard, she said efforts are on not only
to address issues relating to the welfare of Indians abroad, but also to actively
engage them as partners in India's development. She said the annual function of
the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas gave recognition to Indian nationals and persons of
Indian origin living abroad who through their work contribute to promoting linkages
between India and their country of domicile. She said that she had participated
in two Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas events and had come away with the feeling that
these contacts between overseas Indians and the land of their forefathers should
be nurtured and encouraged. |
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