Baku (NVI): India has hailed Azerbaijan for celebrating the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and releasing a postal stamp to mark his 150th anniversary, saying it looks forward to further strengthen people-to-people cultural contact between the two countries.
‘Government of India would continue to actively engage with Azerbaijan in the field of culture, to promote appreciation of each other’s cultures and to enhance people to people contacts,’ Indian Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said in his address to Indian diaspora in Azerbaijan here on October 24.
Naidu further said that India and Azerbaijan have remained strongly connected through historical civilizational linkages, strong cultural affinities and shared values of respect for diversities of other cultures.
‘Indian diaspora is a very important component of India’s aspiration to be an inclusive, equitable and prosperous nation,’’ the Vice President said.
“I can see many opportunities for Indian companies to engage with their counterparts in field such as Information and Communications Technology, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, agriculture and food processing to name a few,” he added
Referring to the transformative changes, both economic and social, that are taking place in India as a result of concerted efforts by the government and the strong will of the people of India, the Vice President said that Indian ‘Diaspora’ formed the 4th ‘D’ in the quartet of ‘D’s that was propelling India forward, the first three being Democracy, Demand and Demographic Dividend.
Naidu reiterated that members of the Indian diaspora have a momentous role to play in the evolution, growth and future of the nation. “Through your connections with the local population here, you are well placed to identify opportunities, which will promote linkages between our two countries, not only limited to economic tie ups, but also to better understanding and appreciation of our culture and heritage in Azerbaijan,” he told the Indian Community.
The Vice President complimented the vibrant Indian community for contributing positively to the social and economic progress of Azerbaijan and for making a strong impression within the local business community through their hard work and entrepreneurial spirit. He also complimented them for their collective efforts in promoting Indian culture and heritage.
The Vice President said that Government of India considered it a priority to better connect and reach out to our overseas community and added that India had taken many steps to provide better services to our diaspora, including providing 24 hour access and assistance to those in need. “There is a conscious effort to engage actively with our community around the world through digital platforms and social media, and these initiatives have borne positive fruits,” he said.
-sb
