Describing India as a "strong partner" of the United Nations, the world body's Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has appreciated the role played by the country in relief efforts in quake-ravaged Haiti and addressing the issue of climate change.
"India is a strong partner of the United Nations. We are grateful for contributions India has been making to the common causes of the UN," Ban, who attended the Republic Day reception hosted by the Indian mission here, said.
"I am very happy to be part of this celebration (Republic Day)," he said.
Noting that India was one of the largest troop contributing countries, Ban underlined its role in UN goals of promoting peace, security and human rights.
"India has been playing a very significant role in addressing climate change and I am committed to working with the Indian government, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who has been a strong supporter of the UN," he said.
More From This Section
Ban also said that he "very much appreciated" India's role in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, which killed an estimated 1.5 lakh people.
On the occasion, Sri Lankan envoy to the UN, Palitha Kohona, described his country's relations with India as "excellent" and hoped the bilateral the economic ties would get stronger through the Free Trade Agreement.
"We have excellent relations and we expect them to get better," he said. Indian Ambassador to the US, Meera Shankar, hoisted the tricolour at the Indian embassy in Washington during a function attended by some 200 people yesterday.
Flag-hoisting ceremonies were also held at the Indian consulates in New York, Houston, Chicago and San Francisco, accompanied by reading of the message of President Pratibha Patil and cultural programmes.
The Consul General of India in Houston, Sanjiv Arora, hosted a splendid customary reception for American Administrative officials, prominent think-tanks and other invited 'friends of India'. In London, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband described India as "a soft super power", particularly in the fields of business and culture.
Speaking at a gala reception organised by the Indian High Commission to celebrate the Republic Day at the Grosvenor House, he said, "India is a super-power - a soft superpower. It is a super power in business and a super power in culture."
He said, "the Indian IPL is so successful that some of the top English players want to play in IPL than for England."
Recalling his conversation with Minister of state for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor, Miliband said Indian restaurants in the UK employed more people than those engaged in mining and ship-building. "Britain today will not be the same without the British Indians who have made remarkable contribution to the British economy."
Minister for Road Transport and Highways Kamal Nath, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's wife Sarah, Indian industrialist Mukesh Ambani, steel tycoon Laxmi Mittal, Jet Airways Chairman Naresh Goyal and British Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.
India's High Commissioner to the UK, Nalin Surie, who hosted the reception, spoke about India's outstanding achievements during the last 60 years and the things need to be done.
"We are proud of the fact that we are not only the largest democracy, but we have also demonstrated that we are a pluralist democracy. We look ahead with optimism." Referring to the bilateral ties, he said India and the UK shared a unique relationship, using each other's strength.
Britain's Defence Secretary Bob Hainsworth said that during the last six decades, India had made very significant contribution to the world development.
He said Britain and India had worked closely in finding a solution to the global financial crisis and the environmental issue. "The two countries are complimenting each other at international spheres on important issues."