AS we celebrate our 61st anniversary of Independence Day, I extend my warm wishes to Indian nationals, Persons of Indian Origin and friends of India residing in the Western Province of Saudi Arabia.
India is today an economic power and the world recognizes that the Indian route to economic progress has been a more stable and sustainable one. We have avoided many of the pitfalls that other developing countries and centrally planned economies got into.
The steady acceleration to 5.5 percent growth from 1980 to the year 2000 and to nearly 9 percent since 2004 has shown the world that India is an economic power. Despite many changes in government with different political parties wielding power in Delhi and in the states, there has been no reversal of the process of the economic reform and liberalization in the past 17 years.
Successive governments have taken forward the process and the Indian economy is today more globally integrated than ever before.
Terrorism is a threat to peace, freedom, human dignity and civilization. All of us who believe in the rule of law must stand together and affirm our commitment to fight this scourge resolutely and unitedly. India is committed to combat international terrorism and promote global peace and greater understanding among nations.
Ever since the historical visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to India in January 2006, both India and Saudi Arabia have been working toward upgrading our bilateral relations in the fields of political, economical as well as people-to-people interactions. Bilateral trade and investment have since multiplied and more and more business opportunities are emerging on both sides.
The Indian expatriate community in the Kingdom has played a pivotal role in enhancing the image of our country. The Indian Diaspora here has emerged as a vibrant and dynamic section of the society. They have earned extraordinary love, warmth and dignity in the hearts of our Saudi brothers and sisters by their sense of dedication, discipline and quality of output at work places.
I take this opportunity to acknowledge their contribution and to look forward to such positive initiatives from different sections of the Indian community for the general good of all.
The Consulate General of India, Jeddah, remains committed to extend its best possible services to the Indian Diaspora in the Western Province of Saudi Arabia. The well being of the Indian community remains our top priority.
Jai Hind.
