anirudhsankar/PMIndia-SpeechDataset-2004-2024 huggingface dataset:
PM's address at the Joint Press Conference with President Karzai
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: November 17, 2006 New Delhi

PM's address at the Joint Press Conference with President Karzai Hindi Version "It is always a great pleasure to meet with President Karzai. Afghanistan has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last five years. From a country that was wracked by violence and civil strife for nearly three decades, it has transformed itself into a country where democratic institutions are taking strong roots. I told President Karzai that we in India marvel at what Afghanistan has become today; the newly constituted Wolesi Jirga has emerged as a vibrant and assertive body. This would not have been possible without President Karzai's strong and wise leadership these past few years. The President and I had useful discussions on all aspects of our bilateral relations. We reviewed the progress achieved in the various bilateral assistance projects that we are associated with in Afghanistan. I have reiterated India's commitment as a neighbour and friend to continue assisting Afghanistan despite the challenges posed by the security situation. We also discussed in detail the security situation in the region. A strong India-Afghanistan relationship is not only beneficial to both counties but is vital for peace and stability in the entire region. I have expressed the concern we in India feel about the increased activities of terrorist groups in Afghanistan. The President and I also had an opportunity to review our cooperation in the regional setting. India looks forward to Afghanistan joining SAARC. We feel greatly honoured that Afghanistan's first Summit as a member of SAARC will be hosted by India. We also discussed tomorrow's Regional Economic Cooperation Conference. This is a very important initiative, not just for Afghanistan but for the entire region. Regional economic cooperation is perhaps the best way for developing countries like ours to cope with the challenges posed by the phenomena of globalization. We are determined to ensure that this initiative succeeds."
PM's Statement at Joint Press Conference with Finland Prime Minister
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: October 12, 2006 Helsinki, Finland

PM's Statement at Joint Press Conference with Finland Prime Minister Hindi Version "Your Excellency, Prime Minister Vanhanen, Members of the Press, I would like to thank His Excellency Prime Minister Vanhanen for his gracious hospitality. Relations between India and Finland turned a new leaf when the Prime Minister Vanhanen visited India in March this year. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to visit Helsinki on this bilateral visit which also coincides with the Finnish Presidency of the European Union. The 7th India-EU Summit will be held tomorrow. We are delighted that this meeting will take place under Finnish Presidency. During our discussions today, Prime Minister Vanhanen and I agreed that India and Finland have vast complementarities which must be fully exploited. Finland is one of the fastest growing economies among the OECD countries. It is a world leader in areas such as telecommunications, information technology and bio-technology. We discussed the opportunities provided by India's sustained economic growth rates of over 8% and its recognition as a safe, secure and profitable investment destination. India offers advantages of a pool of highly qualified scientific talent and a skilled workforce in the manufacturing and service sectors. Prime Minister Vanhanen had inaugurated a Nokia plant in Chennai during his March visit. A number of other Finnish companies have also entered the Indian markets and we welcome their presence. We are encouraged by the fact that in turn a number of Indian companies are investing in high-tech Finnish firms. Looking at these developments, we believe that there is a huge potential for expansion of our trade and investment ties. We have agreed to work jointly to double our trade over the next two years. We are glad that Finnair will be operating direct air services between Helsinki and New Delhi from October 30. We also discussed the need to strengthen international initiatives in combating terrorism. India has been a victim of terrorism. I appreciate the support and solidarity extended by Finland. Meeting the challenges of globalisation requires the strengthening of multilateral institutions such as the UN and WTO. We value our dialogue with Finland which has a proven record of contribution to effective multilateral initiatives. I would like to thank Prime Minister Vanhanen for the excellent quality of our discussions and for his deep personal commitment to developing close relations with India. I will have the honour of calling on the President of Finland tomorrow. Thank you."
PM's Statement on his departure for UK and Finland
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: October 9, 2006 New Delhi

PM's Statement on his departure for UK and Finland Hindi Version "I will be paying an official visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of Prime Minister Tony Blair. My visit to Helsinki is for the 7th India-EU Summit as well as to provide me an opportunity to meet Finland's leaders. The United Kingdom is one of our most important dialogue partners. During the last three years, there has been a substantial deepening of our relations in all key areas - trade and investment, science and technology, energy, education and research and cultural ties. Prime Minister Blair and I will address an Investment Summit. The UK is our largest trading partner in the European Union and an important source of foreign investment. Indian companies are amongst the major investors in the UK. Given the common threats we face, cooperation in the area of combating terrorism has become particularly significant. I will visit Cambridge University to receive an Honorary Doctorate which will be conferred by the Chancellor of Cambridge University, the Duke of Edinburgh. The India-EU Summit in Helsinki will provide an opportunity to review progress in implementation of the Joint Action Plan adopted by the last Summit in New Delhi. We will review specific steps to enhance trade and investment ties between India and the European Union, which is not only our largest trading partner but an important source of Foreign Direct Investment and high technology. In recognition of India's growing stature a strategic partnership was formalized during The Hague Summit in 2004. Since then our dialogue has expanded to issues ranging from globalization, counter terrorism energy, environment and high tech areas such as ITER and the Galileo project. An India-EU Business Summit being held in Helsinki will provide an opportunity to reinforce the message of India as a secure and profitable trade and investment destination. Our discussions at the Summit will be reflected in a Joint Statement that will be issued on its conclusion. During my stay in Helsinki, I will be calling on President Tarja Halonen as well as Prime Minister Vanhanen who had visited India in March this year. Finland is a world leader in high technology sectors including Telecommunications, IT and Biotechnology. I hope my visit to Finland will add further momentum to our bilateral relations".
PM's remarks on visit to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: October 6, 2006 Mumbai

PM's remarks on visit to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Hindi Version Ladies and Gentlemen, I am truly delighted to be here today amongst you.  The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is one of our most cherished national institutions.  I bow my head and pay tribute to the memory of Kulapati Dr. K.M. Munshi.  He was a towering visionary belonging to a historic generation of great leaders.  Our nation was truly blessed in the 20th century, being home to some of the greatest men and women of our era. They were great not because they were powerful.  They were great not because they headed governments, or led armies.  They were great not because they were wealthy.  They were great because they were men and women of great compassion, intellect and abiding commitment to humanity. Inspired by the tallest of them all, Mahatma Gandhi, a generation of Indians created and nurtured great institutions.  The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is one such.  The Bhavan started as an institution dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Sanskrit - the most ancient of languages, the most musical of languages, the most scientific of languages.  However, under Munshiji's inspiring leadership the Bhavan branched out into diverse activities. From the days of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, successive governments have greatly valued the Bhavan's contribution to human development in our country.  The Bhavan has also inspired people abroad to come forward and contribute their might to the preservation and promotion of Indian culture and learning. The Bhavan is a unique institution because its feet are firmly placed on the solid foundation of our rich heritage and culture, while its head has soared into the skies to embrace all that is new and modern.  The Bhavan has spread its wings and flown into new areas of education.  It is a valued institution across the country.  It is, therefore, only natural that the Bhavan has branched off into the teaching of information technology. I compliment you on your unceasing and untiring efforts to remain relevant to the needs of our society.  I salute the patriotism and the humanism of all those who have helped build the Bhavan and continue to help in its manifold activities.  I wish you well in your noble endeavours.  I assure you that I will always be here to support and encourage the good work of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. May your path continue to be blessed.
PM's opening remarks at the Joint Press Conference
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: October 2, 2006 Pretoria

PM's opening remarks at the Joint Press Conference Hindi Version This has been a most satisfying visit for me particularly because it coincides with Gandhiji's 137th birthday today. I take this opportunity to thank President Mbeki and the people of South Africa for their traditional warmth and affection for India. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the President and to the South African Government for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me and my delegation. President Mbeki and I have had very fruitful discussions this morning, continuing upon our meetings in Brasilia and in Havana last month. We are satisfied with the steady growth in our multi-dimensional relationship and this is reflected in the joint declaration that we have just now signed. India and South Africa enjoy excellent bilateral relations and I mentioned to His Excellency the President that developing strategic partnership with South Africa is something that unites all shades of political opinion in our country. We are therefore keen to work with South Africa to enhance and give more meaning and content to our strategic partnership. We have decided to maintain active contacts at all levels to deepen our mutual understanding on bilateral and international issues. Both our countries face the common problem of ensuring that the fruits of development reach those who need them most. President Mbeki and I discussed how we can exchange experiences and best practices to achieve this objective. India's strengths are in the service industry and human resources development and we have offered to be a partner in the South Africa's Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative. President Mbeki and I have tasked our officials to draw up a concrete programme of cooperation to implement this offer. South Africa is India's biggest trading partner in Africa. Many of our Indian companies are present here and are expanding their business presence. The rapid growth of the Indian economy offers significant opportunities to both sides. President Mbeki and I have decided to qualitatively enhance our commercial and economic relationship. The India-South Africa CEOs' Forum, which is holding its 3rd meeting today, will provide a further momentum to our economic cooperation in the jointly identified priority sectors. India and South Africa have active cooperation in the field of science & technology. We welcome the recent signing of a new Programme of Cooperation between our two countries in this vital sector. Our two countries share a common vision of a cooperative, rule-based multi-polar world order. During our discussions, we decided to strengthen our cooperation in the reform of the UN system and, in particular, reform and expansion of the UN Security Council, without which the overall reform of the United Nations will remain incomplete. I have invited President Mbeki to visit India at his earliest convenience. I look forward to continuing to work with His Excellency the President to enhance our strategic partnership to give it more meaning, content and thrust.
PM's remarks at the Pietermaritzburg Station, South Africa
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: September 30, 2006 South Africa

PM's remarks at the Pietermaritzburg Station, South Africa Hindi Version "Pietermaritzburg is a place in South Africa that almost all Indians know about. It is hard to put my feelings into words as I stand here. It is easy to feel the presence of the Mahatma here and to imagine what he went through during that night of 7th June 1893. It was the experience of Mr. M.K. Gandhi, Barrister-at-Law here that changed him forever and started his extraordinary transformation from a lawyer into the Mahatma. All great changes begin in the minds of men. Through this incident was born Gandhiji's resolve to resist injustice and oppression, no matter the personal cost to him. This was to be an idea that eventually brought India its independence and also influenced the course of struggles against oppression all over the world. This is, therefore, a place of worthy of inscription as a World Heritage site. The vision that came to the Mahatma here is part of a legacy that belongs not only to South Africa and India but to the entire world. I am moved by the experience of being here. I shall bear this memory forever. Thank you."
PM's statement on his departure for South Africa
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: September 30, 2006 New Delhi

PM's statement on his departure for South Africa Hindi Version I am visiting South Africa to participate in the Satyagraha Centenary Celebrations being organized by the Government of South Africa.  The philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi of resisting injustice and oppression by pursuing the path of truth and non-violence was born in South Africa and is a powerful legacy that is shared by the people of India and South Africa. I will also visit places which mark some milestones in the Mahatma's remarkable life; the Pietermaritzburg station where he was thrown out of an all white train compartment, Phoenix Settlement and the Constitution Hill prison where he was incarcerated.  I will also visit the Umbilo Park Memorial where several years later, brave South Africans opposed the injustice of the apartheid regime. I also hope to have the opportunity to meet Dr. Nelson Mandela whose life and work bear Gandhiji's deep influence. I will have the opportunity to review bilateral relations and the India-South Africa Strategic Partnership with President Mbeki.  I hope to discuss with President Mbeki measures that both countries can take to further deepen our partnership. South Africa is India's biggest trading partner in the African continent.  Many Indian companies are expanding their business presence there.  Similarly, I think that there is much that South Africa can offer India.  I hope we will be able to identify steps to enhance our current commercial and economic relationship. I will also take this opportunity to discuss with President Mbeki current international issues.  Our two countries share a common vision of a cooperative, rule-based multi-polar world order.  I think that South Africa and India have a major role to play in carrying forward the agenda for reforms at the UN, including the expansion of permanent membership of the UN Security Council, so that the interests of the developing world are better reflected and realized in this organization, and in newer initiatives such as IBSA.
Joint Press Statement by PM and President Pervez Musharraf
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: September 16, 2006 Havana, Cuba

Joint Press Statement by PM and President Pervez Musharraf Hindi Version President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had a cordial, frank and detailed exchange of views on all aspects of India-Pakistan relations. Desirous of carrying forward the dialogue process, the leaders reiterated their commitments and determination to implement the joint statements of January 6, 2004, September 24, 2004, April 18, 2005 and September 14,2005. The leaders agreed that the peace process must be maintained and its success was important for both countries and the future of the entire region. In this context, they directed their Foreign Secretaries to resume the composite dialogue at the earliest possible. The two leaders met in the aftermath of the Mumbai blasts. They strongly condemned all acts of terrorism and agreed that terrorism is a scourge that needs to be effectively dealt with. They decided to put in place an India-Pakistan anti-terrorism institutional mechanism to identify and implement counter-terrorism initiatives and investigations. The leaders decided to continue the joint search for mutually acceptable options for a peaceful negotiated settlement of all issues between India and Pakistan, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, in a sincere and purposeful manner. On the Jammu and Kashmir issue, there have been useful discussions. There is a need to build on convergences and narrow down divergences. The two leaders also directed the Foreign Secretaries on the following The Foreign Secretaries should meet shortly in New Delhi to continue the composite dialogue. To arrange consultations for early solution of the Siachen issue. Experts should meet immediately to agree on coordinates for joint survey of Sir Creek and adjoining area, without prejudice to each other's position on the issue. The Survey should commence in November 2006. The experts should start discussions on the maritime boundary. The two sides will facilitate implementation of agreements and understandings already reached on LOC-related CBMs, including bus services, crossing points and truck service. The President of Pakistan renewed his invitation to the Prime Minister of India to visit Pakistan. Thanking the President, the Prime Minister indicated that he looked forward to a purposeful visit at a time to be determined through diplomatic channels.
PM's statement at the Joint Press Conference of the IBSA leaders
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: September 13, 2006 Brasilia

PM's statement at the Joint Press Conference of the IBSA leaders Hindi Version "It is a prievilege for me to have participated in the 1st IBSA Summit.The privilege is further deepened by the fact that I did so in the august company of two of the leading statesmen of our time - President Lula of Brazil and President Mbeki of South Africa. It was just over three years ago that IBSA was founded in this city itself. It has since then, recorded significant achievements. Reaching across geographical distance, our partnership illustrates the global village in which we live together today. The Summit provided a useful opportunity to review the cooperation that has taken lace in the IBSA framework. We also had constructive discussions on issues of global concern. There is, I am pleased to say, a great deal of commonality in our perspectives. The Joint Declaration that will be issued today is an impressive document that reflects our common vision on a wide range of political and economic, regional and global issues of common interest. We have all pledged to work earnestly to implement this bold and comprehensive agenda of cooperation. It is a matter of satisfaction for India that the Joint Declaration reflects the importance that the IBSA countries attach to increasing international civilian nuclear cooperation through forward looking approaches. As IBSA evolves, it will acquire new dimensions. It would be our endeavour to see that it moves from being a project of three Governments to one that actively involves the peoples of our three countries. I am happy that a successful Business Summit was held yesterday. I use this opportunity to thank President Lula for the gracious hospitality that he has accorded to me and my delegation. I also compliment him for taking the initiative to convene this Summit."
PM's departure statement prior to his visit to Brazil and Cuba
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: September 10, 2006 New Delhi

PM's departure statement prior to his visit to Brazil and Cuba Hindi Version "I will be visiting Brasilia at the invitation of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The bilateral visit to Brazil on September 12 will be followed by the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Summit where President Mbeki of South Africa will also be participating. I expect that my visit to Brazil will consolidate an extremely positive trend in our bilateral relations with that great country which we consider as one of our main partners in Latin America. I hope to discuss a wide range of issues including adding content to our political and economic interactions and cooperation in defence, agriculture and energy security. Brazil and India already enjoy an excellent tradition of cooperation in international fora. IBSA has already emerged as a shining example of South-South Cooperation. The first IBSA Summit will provide a useful opportunity to review the progress that has been made over the last 3 years since IBSA was first established. Our discussions are expected to focus on issues of global concern including energy security, international terrorism and the challenges of sustainable and equitable development. An IBSA Business Summit will add a new dimension to our interactions. We have enjoyed close, friendly and historic relations with Cuba. I am looking forward to participating in the 14th NAM Summit Conference being held in Havana. As a founding member of this great Movement, India will play its part in helping NAM to revitalize itself so as to pursue the shared interests of its member states in a transformed world. Mutual support and solidarity among NAM members is of prime importance as we confront several common challenges such as making globalization more inclusive, the scourge of terrorism and addressing widespread hunger, poverty and disease. We will rededicate the Non-Aligned Movement to the universal causes of peace, disarmament and the progress and prosperity of all human kind. During my stay in Havana, I look forward to fruitful interactions with a number of leaders from the developing world. "