Republic Day 2023 Speech
His Excellency, The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Communities of São Tomé and Príncipe, Mr. Alberto Pereira, Distinguished Ministers, Governor of Central Bank, Ambassadors, Representatives and Coordinators from the multilateral organizations, fellow diplomatic colleagues, senior officials from the Government of Sao Tome, members of the media and the Indian community in Sao Tome.
Good evening and a very warm welcome to all you to the celebration of the 74th Republic Day of India.
It is my honour to celebrate the 74th Republic Day of India today in the presence of such a distinguished gathering and among friends.
India become an independent country on 15th August 1947, which is celebrated as the Independence Day, but today is the day when India gave effect to its Constitution in 1950. It was on this day that the Constitution of India, which is the bedrock of modern Indian polity, society, and governance, replaced the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India. India declared itself on this very day in 1950 as a Republic.
By doing so, India, on this Republic Day each year, marks the celebration of the empowerment of Indian citizens to select their own government, cherishes the rights and duties of its citizens, uphold the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity, and celebrates its immense cultural diversity.
The constitution of India is a huge document which lays down procedures, powers, duties, fundamental rights and directive principles of Government of India and the Indian citizens. The governing principle of the Indian Constitution is “of the people, for the people and by the people”, which signifies that the power is vested in the hands of the citizens of India.
In this year of the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, the Republic Day of India symbolizes the success and strength of its democratic traditions and philosophy.
After 75 years of independence, India continues to be guided by the democratic principles as it continues to modernize and develop its large economy, provides inclusive developmental opportunities to the 1.3 billion Indians, and embraces its diversity in terms of religion, ethnicity, colour, food habits and cultural traditions.
Today, India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. It is the fourth largest in terms of nominal GDP and is expected to become the 3rd largest economy in the world by 2030.
As the pharmacy of the world, India produces more than 25% of the global demand for all kinds of medicines at low cost. Since 2001, Indian pharmaceutical companies have been offering AIDS medication to the world and in particular, the African countries. India has also emerged as the largest vaccine producer in the world and is already supplying a substantial part of the world's vaccines, including meningitis, various epidemics, covid etc. to more than 100 countries. India's unique selling point on vaccine production has always been high volume and effectiveness, combined with low cost.
Just like other countries, India too was impacted by the COVID crisis. But it has emerged stronger from the pandemic after it indigenously produced three COVID vaccines. As of today, India has vaccinated more than a billion of its citizens and provided its COVID vaccines to 74 countries.
Over the years, India has emerged as a key resilient supply chain hub in the world, especially in areas such as pharmaceuticals, foodgrains, digital technology, telecommunication, information technology, automotive manufacturing, space, renewal energy and green technologies.
As India develops and modernizes under its Make in India initiative, India’s energy consumption is projected to grow about 1.5 times faster than the global average over the next three decades. So, the policy choices India makes and the targets it sets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are crucial to the world achieving the goal of 1.5°C pathway and not exceeding its carbon budget.
India formally stated the goal of net zero by 2070 in the 2022 NDC (nationally determined contributions), a commitment first made in Glasgow last year. In its national statement at COP26 in 2021, India substantially augmented its mitigation commitments and came forward with the Panchamrita (“the five nectars for immortality” in Sanskrit) strategy with the following five-points:
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Increase non-fossil electricity generation capacity to 500 GW by 2030.
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Meet 50 percent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
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Reduce the total projected carbon emissions by one billion metric tons by 2030.
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Reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by at least 45 percent by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
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Achieve the target of net zero by 2070.
India has already formalized elements of its national energy goals during COP26 and COP27.
India is an important member of the United Nations and is the largest contributor of peacekeeping forces, both men and women and will continue to play a constructive role in global affairs.
As the President of the G20 Group of Countries for 2023, India will be leading global efforts on climate change, renewable energy, and inclusive economic growth this year. One such initiative is the Initiative for Resilient Island States (IRIS) by India. Island nations like Sao Tome and Principe can benefit from the enhanced maritime surveillance capabilities provided by IRIS of India. Data provided by IRIS can be utilized to promote sustainable use of marine resources through the establishment of co-managed marine protected areas. Biodiversity surveys and 3D mappings may further aid Sao Tome and Principe to better conservation of its prized rainforests and endemic flora and bird species.
India and Sao Tome and Principe are cordial partners. Our bilateral ties have only grown since the establishment of a resident Indian embassy in this country. Both countries share a strong democratic tradition and a broad-based developmental agenda. We look forward to strengthening existing bilateral linkages with Sao Tome in the coming months in the fields of health, infrastructure, capacity building and telecommunications in the days ahead.
I thank the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs, for gracing the occasion as our honoured guest. I am deeply thankful to all the distinguished Ministers and senior officials, my diplomatic colleagues and all our friends for their presence today.
Thank you.
