Ram Nath Kovind Says Choosing Djibouti For His First Visit Was A Conscious Decision
President Ram Nath Kovind, who is on his first official visit to Djibouti and Ethiopia, addressed the Indian community at Djibouti.
He confirmed that choosing Djibouti as the first country of official visit was a conscious decision.
“Visit to Africa is no coincidence but a conscious decision on our part. Our relations with this beautiful continent have a special place in our hearts, and we remain ever committed to deepening our fraternal bonds with the African people.”
The President said that “Djibouti is a strategically located country, just off the Gulf of Aden. It is an important Indian Ocean partner country for India.”
During the Yemeni crisis of 2015, Djibouti was supportive of Indian efforts to evacuate Indian citizens and had helped in rescuing Indian citizens from Yemen in Operation Rahaat.
Kovind is the first Indian President to visit the country.
He stressed on the fact that modern and new India believes that collaboration and partnerships. And India is looking to transform the life of its citizens by 2022, which will be the 75th year of Independence.
“Our diaspora has an important role in building bridges between India and the world. India is on a high growth trajectory. There is optimism and excitement in our country.”
He suggested the Indian diaspora to rise and partner in New India.
We want to embrace and connect with our diaspora abroad, the President said.
“The rise of India is opening new opportunities for collaboration. Our diaspora has an important role in building bridges between India and the world. India is on a high growth trajectory.”
Addressing the gathering, the President said that while we have an Ambassador to represent our government, every member of the Indian community present here is a representative of our nation.
“In whatever capacity they have made Djibouti their home – be it as traders, as professionals, or as skilled workers, they have shown a spirit of selfless and dedicated service to the people around them.”
In terms of trade and bi lateral relationships Djibouti has been keen to develop economic and developmental partnership with India. Especially in the fields of education, health, IT, agriculture, small scale industries, portable electricity generation, fisheries, and water resource development.
Djibouti has been keen to develop economic and development partnership with India especially in the areas of education, health, information technology, agriculture, small-scale industries, portable electricity generation, fisheries and water resource development. Bilateral trade is on the increase and is in India's favour. Trade in 2012-13, stood at $417.30 million (India's exports $ 411.86 Million and India's imports $5.44 million). Most of the trade with Djibouti actually serve the growing market in Ethiopia. Incidentally, the President in his second leg of the visit will go to Ethiopia.
