Speeches / Statements

Address by External Affairs Minister at the Release of the Publication India’s Foreign Relations – 2008 Documents

18/08/2009

Foreign Secretary Smt. Nirupama Rao,
Director General of Military Intelligence,
Smt. Malathi Rao,
Shri A.S. Bhasin,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I profusely apologise for delay in reaching here as I had to attend an unscheduled meeting from which I could not absence myself. It was indeed very thoughtful of Shri A.S. Bhasin to have dedicated his annual compilation of the Ministry’s documents for 2008 to the memory of Late Shri Venkat Rao. Words cannot convey the sense of bereavement felt, not just by friends and colleagues, but innumerable others who were deeply affected by the shameful terrorist attack on 7 July 2008, in which our brave colleagues made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation. That act, like all such acts of mindless violence, reminded us, yet again, of how the menace of terrorism has become all pervasive and non-discriminating. This function today is dedicated to the memory of our colleagues Shri VV Rao, Brig. RD Mehta, our colleagues from the ITBP Shri Ajay Pathania and Shri Roop Singh, and the others killed in the cowardly attack on our Embassy in Kabul on the day.

Words cannot make good the loss felt by the family members, but the best that we in the Foreign Service establishment can do is to ensure that their sacrifice does not go in vain. We are committed to fulfilling our pledges towards the reconstruction of Afghanistan and to cementing our traditional friendship with the Afghan people. Acts of terrorism will not deter us, but will only strengthen our resolve to counter and bring to book those responsible.

Last Saturday, on the morning of our Independence Day, there was a terror attack at the headquarters of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), 70 meters from the Indian Ambassador’s Residence in Kabul. The shockwaves of the blast damaged most doors and windows of the Ambassador’s Residence. Notwithstanding the explosion, our Embassy in Kabul went ahead with the Independence Day Flag Hoisting function and the reception. Independence Day was also duly observed by our Posts in Jalalabad and Kandahar despite the very difficult security environment. I would like to take this opportunity to compliment the personnel of the Indian Mission and Posts in Afghanistan for their courage and commitment.

India's struggle against the menace of terrorism has been going on for decades now, and records and archives of India's foreign policy documents will bear witness to our efforts to curb this menace. It is quite befitting that a publication which records India's foreign relations documents for posterity, be a medium for honouring the memory of those who laid their lives in the cause of furthering that foreign policy.

I would like to thank Shri A.S. Bhasin who has tirelessly been compiling and editing the Foreign Relations documents since 2002. The publication, as also his other works, are of much help to researchers and academics who wish to pursue research of India's foreign relations, and who frequently desire an authentic ready-reckoner for this vast field of study. I wish him success in his further endeavours.

I have great pleasure in releasing the book.

Thank you.

New Delhi
August 18, 2009