--- Jim Devine <jdevine03 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I think Cockburn's main role is to counterbalance
> the official US
> press, led by people like Thomas Friedman.
> --
An inversion of a distortion is still a distortion.
Ulhas, Sujeet etc., any comments on the following statement by India's ambassador to Russia?
Message of Ambassador in Izvestia on the occasion of 56th Republic Day of India
January 26, 2005
Ambassador Kanwal Sibal: "A strong Indo-Russian strategic partnership is good for international peace and stability"
Greetings to the readers of Izvestia
This is the day in 1950 when India gave to itself its present constitution, which is the foundation of its democracy and secularism. The constitution is adapted to India’s special requirements as a multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual state. The constitution separates religion from the state, protects minorities, strikes a good balance between the center and the constituent states, ensure the rule of law through an independent judiciary and guarantees freedom of expression without which a free press cannot exist. Unlike many other countries, including some advanced democracies, which have changed constitutions with political upheavals or emergence of charismatic personalities, the Indian constitution has endured as it reflects a genuine ational consensus and is inclusive. With an electorate of over 600 million, the Indian elections are the single biggest organized political activity in the world.
In the last fifty six years, India has made much progress, though a lot remains to be done, to remove poverty, which affects a sizable population of its billion people. India is today the fourth largest economy in the world in purchasing parity terms. In recent years it has maintained a steady economic growth rate of 6 to 7 per cent. It has made recognizable advances in what is called the knowledge economy. Its strength in the IT sector is well established. India launches its own satellites, build its own nuclear power plants and has growing strength in telecommunication, biotechnology and pharma sectors. With foreign exchange reserves of US $ 131 billion, inflation under control, a high savings and investment rate, skilled human resources and a burgeoning middle class, India is well poised for the future.
With Russia, India has enjoyed relations, which are marked by unparalleled continuity and stability. Russia played a key role in building India’s industrial infrastructure. Our defence ties have remained exceptionally close. Our steady friendship is the foundation on which today’s strategic partnership is being built. Russia is reviving after its recent traumas. India is resurgent. Our geo-political interests have much in common, which is why India views a strong Russia as beneficial to its interests and vice-versa.
President Putin’s recent visit to India was the fifth summit level meeting between the Indian Prime Minister and the Russian President since 2000. Energy is emerging as a key area of our future cooperation. India’s investment of USD 2.8 billion in Sakhalin-I is among the biggest foreign investment in Russia in any sector. India is willing to invest more. President Putin’s visit to Bangalore and the first ever India-Russia IT seminar to coincide with his visit opens up possibilities of cooperation in this sector. The banking and financial infrastructure between our two countries is being improved to sustain our shared objective of bolstering our bilateral trade and economic ties. In the area of space, the agreement on Glonass during President Putin’s visit opens up perspectives in an advanced technological sector on a truly participative basis, which is the way for the future.
A strong Indo-Russian strategic partnership is good for international peace and and stability.
http://www.indianembassy.ru/en/en_14_00_win_direct_t010.html
Nu, zayats, pogodi!
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