Former Prime Minister of India - Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Prime Minister's speech at the banquet hosted by President Clerides

Following is the text of the Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s speech at the banquet hosted by President Clerides of Cyprus in Nicosia today:

~Thank you for kind words, and for the exceptionally warm hospitality extended to my delegation and to me. I return to Cyprus after a gap of well over two decades. It is heart-warming to see that the genuine friendship and affection between our peoples have remained undiluted over the passage of time.

Mr. President,

It is easy to see why millions of tourists visit you every year. With its blend of ancient history and modernity, of scenic beauty and friendly hospitality, this land is truly the abode of Aphrodite!

In past centuries, its unique strategic location at the crossroads of three continents made Cyprus the bone of contention for clashing armies and empires. Today, you have used the same gift of geography to transform your country into a first-rate tourist destination, a base for high technology and a hub of shipping and offshore financial services.

We salute your remarkable achievement in emerging so successfully from adversity and conflict to development and prosperity in the short time span of two and a half decades.

Mr. President,

Relations between India and Cyprus virtually date back to the earliest recorded history. We are both ancient civilizations. Both our countries have been the meeting point of multiple cultures. We have democratic polities and our people believe in a plural society.

The foundation stone of our post-independence friendship was laid by the friendship between Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Archbishop Makarios. Our partnership has been close and enduring.

We deeply appreciate the consistent support of Cyprus on issues of vital concern to India. We value your understanding of our national aspirations. Where else in the world would you find another capital city where the Indian High Commission is located on Indira Gandhi Street and the National Parliament on Jawaharlal Nehru Avenue with a statue of Mahatma Gandhi right next to it? These are declarations of friendship more eloquent than any words. We owe it to our succeeding generations to build on this friendship in consonance with emerging opportunities. We have today discussed our strengthening cooperation in information technology, research & development, culture, health and communications.

Hundreds of Indian software professionals and computer scientists have found a temporary home in Cyprus. Their presence further enriches our bilateral interaction. I am hopeful that in the near future we will see direct flights bringing our countries closer together.

Even as we reinforce our ties of friendship, we must remain ever vigilant to the new challenges ahead. Terrorism has become a global menace. Democratic and plural societies are particularly vulnerable to its poison. Terrorism must be defeated, even more so when it is sponsored by a state. India is at the forefront of this battle. We know that Cyprus will always support our struggle.

Mr. President,

I visited the Green Line today. It is a stark reminder of a painful legacy of your history. We know you are involved in a critical effort to settle this vexed problem. Cyprus is fortunate to have in you a wise statesman to lead these negotiations.

Your country is also on the threshold of joining the European Union.

As always, you have our support and very best wishes in both these endeavours.

We are confident that your tryst with destiny is not far away. As your great poet Costas Montis has said:

~We must today, we must tomorrow

lean out of the window,

the shutters of the small window

must today, must tomorrow

smile with the dawn~.

The people of India will be with their friends in Cyprus when this new dawn arrives.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I request you to join me in a toast:

to the health and happiness of President and Madame Clerides;

to the progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Cyprus; and

to the continued friendship between India and Cyprus.

Ef Haristo.

Thank you~.