By Bill W. Cooper
At long last, the government of India has officially opened its Embassy in Liberia as means to strengthening the already existing bilateral relation between both countries.
India which is said to have a strong bilateral relation with Liberia has for years, been fully represented through its Embassy in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) and an active honorary consulate in Monrovia since 1984.
The official opening of the Embassy began with an indoor program which was later climaxed with reception and dinner celebration in commemoration of India’s 75th glorious years of independence.
In addition, the opening ceremony also brought face-to-face several diplomats including the United States Ambassador, Michael McCarthy as well as some government officials among others.
Meanwhile, the India Republic Day celebrated on 26th January of every year since 1950, the Constitution of an Independent India was promulgated and the President of India normally presides over a colorful parade by the Indian Armed Forces and para-military.
Delivering his address, India’s first Ambassador to Liberia, Pradip Kumar Yadav stated that this year’s celebration has a great significance as it is being celebrated under the aegis of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ – ‘Nector Festival of the Independence’ which is being celebrated from March 21, 2021 to August 15, 2023.
“Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is a glorious journey of Indians all round progress and achievements and also a tribute to all our freedom fighters, armed forces, farmers, workers and people from all walks of life,” he said.
Ambassador Yadav explained that India being a country which depended heavily on imports, has emerged from a food and milk deficient country to a food and milk surplus and an exporting country, something he said their Green and White Revolutions should be extolled for.
“Today India is among the world’s top producers of milk, wheat, rice, sugarcane, cotton, mustard oil, pulses and also IT professionals and manpower. India is also a major exporter of rice, pharmaceuticals and 2 and 3-wheelers to the friendly Liberia,” the India Diplomat maintained.
According to him, India which is also a land of opportunity for every one as their citizens from the minorities have held high offices in the armed forces, judiciary and the legislature; women have also occupied high offices of the President, the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers.
“We are not only the land of religion and spiritualism, India is also the land of great Scientists, Doctors, Inventors, IT experts and Bankers,” Ambassador Yadav intoned.
He added, “India has always strived to have good friendly relations with all other countries including its neighbors. India’s decision to upgrade our bilateral relations with friendly Liberia led to the opening of a resident Mission in Liberia headed by the first resident Ambassador.”
The India Ambassador then used the occasion to extol the Liberian government for providing encouraging and conducive business environment to the Indian community, noting, “I am pleased to announce that the vibrant, law abiding Indian community has also been contributing its fair share in growing the Liberian economy.”
Representing the Liberian government, Assistant Minister Naomie M. Gray at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs lauded the Indian community through its Ambassador for the opening of their Embassy in Liberia as well as the immense assistance rendered the country thus far.
She named the donation of busses, the provision of technical assistance as well as assistance in developing Liberia’s human resource capacity including the donation of medical supplies to help the government in the fight against the COVID-19 among others.
“So, Mr. Ambassador, I am pleased to state that the Indian community in Liberia has always stood by us in good and bad times. We also note with gratitude, its involvement in the economic development process of Liberia and with that, we as a government are grateful and thankful,” Mrs. Gray asserted.