Morocco a pillar of stability in the region, India's president
Morocco-India, Politics, 2/28/2001

Indian President Kocheril Raman Narayanan on Tuesday stressed that "Morocco is a pillar of stability in the region."

"We in India have watched with admiration Morocco's progress as a modern nation, dedicated to democracy and to liberal freedoms and human rights, tolerance of religious and other minorities," President Narayanan said at an exchange of addresses during a dinner Banquet he hosted in honor of King Mohammed VI at the Presidential palace in New Delhi.

The Indian President recalled that the late King Hassan II "symbolized Morocco's commitment to humane ideals and principles." "We have no doubt that now, under Your Majesty's youthful and sagacious leadership, Morocco will continue its march towards progress and prosperity combining tradition with modernity."

President Narayanan, who described as historic the official visit paid by King Mohammed VI to India, lauded the age-old relationship between the two countries in terms of history, culture, traditions and value systems.

Recalling the great Moroccan traveler and historian, Ibn Batuta, who visited India in the 14th century A.D. and lived there for almost a decade, President Narayanan said "Ibn Batuta exemplified Morocco's unique role in the historical inter-mediation between the East and the West."

The Indian head of state also voiced satisfaction that relations between India and Morocco have become stronger and multi-faceted. "We do appreciate immensely the sympathy and understanding that Morocco has shown to our concerns," he said, voicing gratitude to the Moroccan government "for the sympathy and the generous assistance you have extended to the earthquake-affected people of Gujarat."

He further stressed that bilateral commercial and economic relations have been expanding substantially and rapidly. "I should like to emphasize that your Majesty's visit today has opened a new historic chapter of interaction between our two countries," he said, expressing confidence that "your youthful dynamism and statesmanlike resolve to explore the potential of the East through the gateway of India will lead to a strategic and intensified interaction between India and Morocco."

President Narayanan laid a special emphasis on Morocco and India's common historical experiences and common aspirations and endeavors in the struggle against colonialism, and for world peace in the movement of the non-aligned nations. "Now that colonialism and the cold War are things of the past, we have joined our efforts to shape a new world order," he said.

Touching on the need to restructure the United Nations Organization, President Narayanan said "it is high time that the present realities of the world and the aspirations of the peoples of the world are reflected in the structure of the United Nations." He recalled in this respect King Mohammed VI's address to the U. N. Millennium Summit "in which you referred to the need to have larger representation of the developing countries in the Security Council in the face of the new world realities."

He voiced, in this connection Morocco's "sympathetic attitude" to India's candidacy for the permanent membership of a reformed and enlarged Security Council.

Regarding the Middle East, President Narayanan paid tribute to the "special initiatives taken by Your Majesty in the Middle East peace process."

The President, who voiced hope that the dialogue process will soon be resumed in the Middle East, underlined that "India has always shown unwavering solidarity in support of the rights of the Arab people and the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people." "We believe that all the states in the region, including Israel and Palestine, have a right to exist within their own recognized and secure boundaries," he said.

Previous Stories:
  King Mohammed meets Indian officials, heads of political parties   (2/27/2001)
  Morocco and India sign four cooperation agreements   (2/27/2001)
  King Mohammed's visit to give new impetus to Moroccan- Indian relations, Indian press   (2/27/2001)

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