On the occasion of the 62nd Republic Day of India, I extend my greetings and best wishes to my fellow citizens of India and to the people and the government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

The last year has been an eventful one for India. While the Indian economy had held its own in a recession-affected 2009, its performance in the just concluded year has shown why it is considered to be one of the most promising economic performers in the coming decades. The economy has resumed its high growth trajectory and is expected to grow at a rate of around 9% during the current financial year. We have espoused an economic model that targets rapid GDP growth with inclusive development. Today, India is universally expected to be one of the key engines of global growth. Its economic momentum has become self-sustaining; yet, there is a long way to go.

In October 2010, India was elected to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2011-2012 by obtaining the highest number of votes in the election. The election reaffirmed India’s role as a responsible member of the comity of nations and as a force of moderation, reason and stability. The vibrancy of our democracy, our commitment to pluralism and secularism and the strength of our economy are acknowledged by the international community and are vital pillars of our magnificently diverse country.

The year also saw visits to India by the Heads of State or Government of all countries that are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, marking a further recognition of India’s role in global affairs and its significance as an engine of economic growth.

Among the most important visits we had last year, however, was the landmark State visit in June of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka, which gave a marked fillip to the rapidly developing relationship between India and Sri Lanka. The visit set out a forward-looking and comprehensive agenda for bilateral engagement, which was reflected in the Joint Declaration released on June 9, 2010. Anchored in shared civilisational bonds, common interests and extensive people-to-people links, our relationship has matured and diversified with the passage of time, encompassing all areas of contemporary relevance, including trade and investment, development cooperation, science and technology, culture, education, security and defence. The scope for a mutually beneficial partnership between us is truly limitless and there is so much more we can do.

After the conclusion of armed conflict in Sri Lanka and with strong economic recovery on the horizon, our two countries have an excellent opportunity to realize the full potential of bilateral relations. India’s growth trajectory, population and consumer base is an opportunity and a market for goods and services throughout the world, including for Sri Lanka, which can take full advantage of its strategic location next to a market of a billion consumers and be a preferred partner for India in the quest for shared prosperity. The India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement has yielded positive dividends over the past decade. Discussions on a comprehensive framework for enhanced economic cooperation are now underway and I have no doubt that the coming year will see the fruition of these efforts to the mutual benefit of both our countries.

The year also saw the resumption of India-Sri Lanka dialogue in the framework of the Joint Commission. The Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs of India, Mr. S.M. Krishna, visited Sri Lanka in November to co-chair the 7th Joint Commission meeting. He witnessed the signature of an agreement for the utilization of $416 million in lines of credit offered by India for railway projects in Northern Sri Lanka and participated in the inauguration of the work on these projects. The Minister also inaugurated a pilot project for the construction of 1000 houses for displaced persons as part of India’s commitment to construct 50,000 houses in North, Eastern and Central Sri Lanka. The visit also saw the inauguration of the Consulates General of India at Jaffna and Hambantota with a view to intensifying people-to-people contacts.

We were also honoured by the presence of His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka at the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games held in Delhi in October 2010. In a few days from now, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India are jointly hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup and I am confident that this too will be a great success.

The past year witnessed several other high-level official visits in both directions. In the coming year, we look forward to maintaining the frequency of such exchanges between our two countries. Our aim should be to put in place a comprehensive partnership, which is to our mutual benefit. Indeed, we are well-placed today to take our bilateral relations to a new level. We look forward to working towards this.

India and Sri Lanka are making conscious efforts to reinforce connectivity in order to support more intensive exchanges in diverse fields. Earlier this month, both countries signed an MoU facilitating the resumption of ferry services between Colombo and Tuticorin and between Talaimannar and Rameswaram. An agreement to conduct a feasibility study for the inter-connection of the Indian and Sri Lankan electricity grids has already been signed and work on the study has started.

India and Sri Lanka, with their shared heritage of Buddhism, have agreed that the 2600th year of the attainment of enlightenment by Lord Buddha will be commemorated through joint activities. As part of this endeavour, the Government of India has commissioned a 16 feet high idol of Lord Buddha in the Sarnath style, which will be installed at the entrance of the International Buddhist Museum complex in Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, Sri Lanka. India is also establishing an Indian Gallery at the International Buddhist Museum and organizing an International Buddhist Conference in March 2011 in Kandy with the support of the concerned Sri Lankan authorities.

Another important event which will be commemorated jointly by us in 2011 is the 150th birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. I am thankful to the Government of Sri Lanka for agreeing to release a special postal stamp to commemorate the birth anniversary of this great son of Asia who played an important role in the cultural renaissance of India and SriLanka.

India has always been committed to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and to the restoration of lasting peace through national reconciliation. It is our hope that the vision and leadership that brought about an end to armed conflict in Sri Lanka will now be employed in the quest for a political process resulting in national reconciliation among all the communities of Sri Lanka. India believes that there is today a historic opportunity for the people and leadership of Sri Lanka to address all outstanding issues in a spirit of understanding and mutual accommodation. We will continue to support initiatives to heal the wounds of the past and to build a caring society which ensures a life of equality and dignity to all its citizens. As Sri Lanka perseveres in this nation-building exercise, the Government of India will continue to assist in its efforts to restore the social, educational, economic and cultural infrastructure of the affected areas.

As we enter 2011, we look back with pride on 2010 and all our achievements in the arena of bilateral relations. I have no doubt that in the coming year, our historic and strong links with Sri Lanka will continue to serve as the keystone for an increasingly close and mutually beneficial partnership in the years ahead.