Message from the Ambassador of India

AUGUST 15 is an auspicious and momentous day for the people of India. This year, it is a landmark occasion because India celebrates the 50th anniversary of Independence. As we commemorate this historic event, we pay homage to all Indian leaders and the countless men, women and children who courageously faced untold sufferings and made great sacrifices throughout the freedom struggle.

Under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership, India waged an extraordinary battle against the British empire with weapons of truth, nonviolence and noncooperation, and, at the midnight hour of August 14-15, 1947, a new nation with ancient cultural heritage and traditions was born.

Fifty years have passed since then, and in this relatively short span of time for a nation, India has marched successfully on the path of nation-building, creation and nurturing of democratic institutions and socioeconomic development. On this path, challenges were not small, but these have been met with the consciousness that freedom gives an opportunity and also brings responsibility.

Within three years of India's Independence, a Constitution was adopted which made India a Republic wedded to the values of democracy, secularism and social justice. A framework for the future development of the pluralistic and diverse Indian society was thus established.

In the past five decades, the institution of representative government has taken deep roots, and the world's largest democracy has held elections at regular intervals, both at the Parliament as well as state legislature levels.

As we reach an important milestone in our national life, we look back with a sense of satisfaction over our several achievements. In India, a green revolution in agriculture has taken place and self-sufficiency in food has been attained. Great strides have been made in the development of industry, which enables India to produce a vast range of manufactured and sophisticated products.

A landmark performance has been shown by Indian scientists and engineers in several areas of science and technology, including nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, space research, computer software, etc. Today, India has the third-largest pool of trained and skilled manpower in the world.

While much has been done since India became independent, much more requires to be undertaken, and it is to this end that the country's policies, both domestic as well as external, would be devoted to in the coming years.

Economic reforms and liberalization vigorously pursued in the country provide a unique opportunity to tap our enormous potential -- human and material -- for economic growth, employment and development of infrastructure, thereby enabling India to poise itself as a leading economy integrated with the rest of the world.

All throughout the past five decades, India has followed an independent foreign policy based on the principles of equality, sovereignty and mutual understanding. India was in the forefront in calling for the end of apartheid, racial discrimination and colonialism in various parts of the world.

As a member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), India always extends its full support to the principles and initiatives of NAM. India has been an active member of the UN and a leading contributor to the UN Peace Keeping efforts right from the very inception of the United Nations.

The policy of friendship based on cooperation and mutual respect is India's basic approach in global or regional matters and it is in this spirit that India has today embarked upon and committed to a constructive dialog and closer contacts in bilateral relations with the neighboring countries in South Asia.

With Indonesia, with which India has enjoyed from ancient times a close relationship forged by the bonds of culture, language, religion, commerce etc., we find that the last 50 years have also been marked by a growing association and understanding. When both countries were struggling for their independence from colonial rule, they extended to each other unflinching support and cooperation.

Our mutual relationship based on the common ideals of peace and development expanded further when the two countries became Founding Members of the Non-Aligned Movement. Since then, we have worked closely in several international fora.

Today, as India celebrates its 50th anniversary of Independence, we find that our ties are growing stronger and stronger in all fields, including political, economic, commercial, cultural, science and technology. This was witnessed by a series of high-level contacts between the two countries in recent months and in the expansion of our economic relationship and trade volume.

India's becoming a Full Dialog Partner with ASEAN and member of ARF during ASEAN meetings in Jakarta last year was a significant development in India's relations with ASEAN.

Today's celebration is a matter of great joy and jubilation to the members of the growing Indian community who have made Indonesia their home and are pursuing their various professions, such as trade, banking, management, finance, and engineering, etc., with excellence and a sense of commitment.

On the occasion of India's Golden Jubilee of Independence, I convey to them warm felicitations. I am confident that they will continue to make useful contributions to the socioeconomic development of Indonesia, which has provided them a hospitable environment and opportunities, and thereby strengthen the cause of friendship between Indonesia and India in the future.