anirudhsankar/PMIndia-SpeechDataset-2004-2024 huggingface dataset:
PM's Statement prior to his Departure for China
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: January 12, 2008 New Delhi

PM's Statement prior to his Departure for China I will be paying an official visit to China at the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao from January 13 to 15, 2008.  During my visit, I look forward to calling on His Excellency Mr. Hu Jintao, President of the People's Republic of China, and meeting with His Excellency Mr. Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the National People's Congress. I will hold bilateral discussions with Premier Wen Jiabao on matters of mutual interest. China is our largest neighbour and also a focal point of our "Look East" policy.  We attach high priority to strengthening our relations with China. We established a Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity when Premier Wen Jiabao visited India in April 2005. During President Hu Jintao's visit in November 2006 we laid down a ten-pronged strategy to qualitatively upgrade our bilateral ties. Our bilateral relations are now poised to enter a vibrant and dynamic phase, based on a common recognition that the growth and development of both India and China will make positive and long term contributions to regional and global peace, security and stability. We share a desire to enhance our relationship both bilaterally and at the global level. I look forward to my discussions with the Chinese leadership on the entire gamut of our relationship. We are engaged in the process of giving substantive content to our partnership through comprehensive economic engagement and developing mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of science and technology, culture, education, defence and security, and increasing people-to-people contacts.  Issues relating to the boundary and cooperation with regard to trans-boundary rivers will be discussed. I will be discussing how we can work more closely with China on regional, multilateral and global issues. I look forward to my visit.  It is my belief that regular Summit level interaction with China contributes to strengthening our cooperative engagement and enhancing mutual trust and understanding.
PM's statement on the death of Mrs. Benazir Bhutto
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: December 27, 2007 Goa

PM's statement on the death of Mrs. Benazir Bhutto I was deeply shocked and horrified to hear of the heinous assassination of Mrs. Benazir Bhutto. Mrs. Bhutto was no ordinary political leader, but one who left a deep imprint on her time and age. Her contributions to a previous moment of hope in India Pakistan relations, and her intent to break India Pakistan relations out of the sterile patterns of the past, were exemplary. In her death, the sub continent has lost an outstanding leader who worked for democracy and reconciliation in her country. The manner of her going is a reminder of the common dangers that our region faces from cowardly acts of terrorism and of the need to eradicate this dangerous threat. My heartfelt condolences go to her family and the people of Pakistan who have suffered a grievous blow.
PM's statement on the eve of his departure for Kampala to attend CHOGM 2007
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: November 21, 2007 New Delhi

PM's statement on the eve of his departure for Kampala to attend CHOGM 2007 Hindi Version "I am leaving for Kampala to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that begins tomorrow. CHOGM 2007 has a rich agenda before it. This includes a review of global developments, including Climate Change, the Millennium Development Goals, Human Rights and Terrorism. The special theme of the Meeting is "Transforming Societies to achieve Political, Economic and Human Development". Issues relating to the 32 Small States which are members of the Commonwealth will also be taken up. India is strongly committed to the Commonwealth's role of nurturing a sense of belonging to a shared past and a shared destiny based on common values. The Commonwealth is a forum that is uniquely placed to harness the strength and diversity of its membership in cooperating with each other and addressing the global challenges of trade, sustainable development and social advancement. India has consistently played an active role in the Commonwealth. We have several technical assistance and cooperation programmes in place, particularly for the developing countries in Africa and the Small States, which we will seek to enhance. I look forward to meeting a large number of leaders and having a constructive dialogue with them on both bilateral and international issues. I will use the opportunity to highlight the major socio-economic transformation that is underway in India, and the opportunities this provides for the emergence of a new world order."
PM's statement on the eve of departure to Singapore for 6th India-ASEAN Summit and 3rd East Asia Summit
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: November 19, 2007 New Delhi

PM's statement on the eve of departure to Singapore for 6th India-ASEAN Summit and 3rd East Asia Summit Hindi Version I will be visiting Singapore from November 20th to 21st , 2007 to attend the 6th India-ASEAN Summit and the 3rd East Asia Summit. Ever since India became a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN, our engagement with the ASEAN has grown manifold. We are actively implementing the ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity. I will inform ASEAN leaders about the several initiatives that India has taken since the last Summit in Cebu in different areas of our cooperation. Our trade with the ASEAN countries has grown rapidly, and surpassed our expectations. It today stands at US $ 30 billion. I will discuss with the ASEAN leaders new measures to expand the horizons of our cooperation to include not just greater economic integration, but also people-to-people contacts, science and technology, health, transport, human resource development, and information and communication technology. I will also attend the third East Asia Summit later in the afternoon of November 21. This Summit is one of the most ambitious exercises of community building and integration ever attempted in Asia. The East Asia Summit has identified five areas of cooperation - energy, education, finance, avian influenza and national disaster mitigation. India has taken and is ready to take many initiatives in these areas. The Summit is likely to adopt a Declaration on Climate Change, Energy and the Environment. The Summit is also expected to discuss regional and international issues, and future directions for cooperation. East Asia is home to some of the fastest growing economies of the world. The creation of a cooperative framework in East Asia will have a profound impact on the global economy and international relations. India's role in the success of this enterprise is crucial. The project for the revival of the Nalanda University as an international centre of excellence has received the support of East Asian countries. I will attend a reception being hosted by Prime Minister Lee of Singapore on the occasion of a special Exhibition on Nalanda. Many ancient and priceless artefacts have specially been flown in from India for this Exhibition. On the sidelines of both Summit meetings I will have the opportunity to meet leaders from other countries, including Premier Wen Jiabao of China, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda of Japan, Prime Minister Badawi of Malaysia and Prime Minister Thein Sein of Myanmar amongst others. India's 'Look East' policy is now blossoming and showing results on the ground. I consider our participation in the India-ASEAN Summit and EAS to be essential pillars of this policy, and vital for the qualitatively enhanced engagement which India seeks with the region.
PM's opening remarks at Joint Press Interaction with the President Putin
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: November 12, 2007 Moscow

PM's opening remarks at Joint Press Interaction with the President Putin Hindi Version "This is the eighth annual summit between India and Russia and my fourth visit to Russia as Prime Minister. I am truly delighted to be back in your beautiful country. Let me thank you, Mr. President, for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to me and my delegation. I am extremely satisfied with my discussions with President Putin. They were characterized by warmth, cordiality and unanimity on all issues of mutual interest. There has been substantial forward movement on many of the issues that we had discussed at our last Summit in January. We held wide-ranging discussions and identified areas for further cooperation between our two countries. I also had a useful and productive exchange of views with Prime Minister Zubkov. We discussed ways to substantially upgrade our economic ties, which should form the bedrock of our strategic partnership. We agreed that there are enormous opportunities for collaboration. We discussed the recommendations made by the Joint Study Group and the establishment of a Joint Task Force to implement them. I am happy that we have been able to satisfactorily resolve the long pending issue of the utilization of the rupee debt fund. We also agreed to redouble our efforts to achieve a bilateral trade target of 10 billion US dollars by 2010. I will be meeting the captains of Russian industry and a high-level Indian business delegation later in the evening. I will urge them to invest more in this relationship. High technology is an area of great promise. Our cooperation is symbolized by the agreement on Chandrayan II, which will include a joint mission to the Moon involving an orbiter, a lander and a rover to carry out scientific studies. We continued our dialogue on energy. I thanked the President for Russia's steadfast support in supplementing our nuclear energy programme, and its assistance in lifting international restrictions on nuclear cooperation with India that are still in place. Defence cooperation is one of the pillars of our strategic partnership. Our decision on the co-development and co-production of the Fifth Generation Fighter and the Multi-role Transport Aircraft are major steps forward. We had a constructive discussion on regional and global issues. There is a mutuality and convergence in our interests. We highly value Russia's role in international affairs and its global leadership on key issues. Our two countries are preparing enthusiastically for the "Year of Russia in India" in 2008 and "Year of India in Russia" in 2009. We wish to showcase the new Russia in India and the new India in Russia. I have invited both the President Putin and the Prime Minister Zubkov to India. Ours is a strategic partnership that has stood the test of time. Through our discussions today we have consolidated and strengthened our engagement in different areas. I am very satisfied with the results of my visit."
PM's Prior Statement on his Departure for Russia
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: November 11, 2007 New Delhi

PM's Prior Statement on his Departure for Russia Hindi Version "I am visiting Russia for the next annual bilateral Summit with President Putin. Ever since President Putin's first visit to India in 2000, the practice of holding annual summits has led to the progressive consolidation of our relations and maintained the momentum of our very close high level contacts. The India-Russia Strategic Partnership is an enduring bond of friendship, which has strong historical roots. Our relations with Russia have traditionally been a factor of peace and stability in the region and beyond. I am convinced that the strong fundamentals of mutual trust and a shared world view on regional and global issues would continue to bring our two countries closer together in a dynamic international environment. Our multifaceted bilateral cooperation with Russia is based on long-term interests. The year 2007 is the 60th year of the establishment of India-Russia diplomatic relations. As we rejoice in our joint accomplishments during the six decades of unbroken friendship, we also stand committed to further deepen our partnership in the fields of trade and investment, defence, energy security, science and technology, space and other areas of mutual benefit. I look forward to continuing my discussions with President Putin to further strengthen India's relations with Russia. I will convey to him the high priority that India attaches to its partnership with Russia, and the benefits that this partnership has brought to our two peoples. I am confident that my visit will lead to a reaffirmation of our joint endeavour towards creating greater economic prosperity and a secure, stable and peaceful world order."
Opening Statement of PM at Joint press interaction with Chancellor Merkel of Germany
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: October 30, 2007 New Delhi

Opening Statement of PM at Joint press interaction with Chancellor Merkel of Germany Hindi Version I once again extend a very warm welcome to Chancellor Merkel on her first visit to India. Chancellor Merkel and I have had extremely warm, fruitful and intensive discussions. We have reaffirmed our strong mutual commitment to the strategic partnership that was launched in 2001. The signing of several bilateral agreements today, and the Joint Statement on the Further Development of the Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Germany will impart a new and substantive momentum to our relations. We both recognize the long-term potential of Indo-German economic and trade relations. Germany has become our largest trade partner in Europe and the fourth largest globally. I conveyed to the Chancellor that we welcome German investment, particularly in areas of Germany's proven technological strengths. Science & Technology and cooperation in high technology areas remains an important dimension of our relations. This morning Chancellor Merkel and I launched the Science Express which is symbolic of our longstanding collaboration in this field. We reviewed prospects for intensifying cooperation in the areas of infrastructure, energy, defence, education, culture and vocational training. We spoke about the need to facilitate people-to-people contacts. We also discussed regional and global issues. India and Germany share common values of democracy, rule of law, and fundamental freedoms. We recognize the need to create an equitable international order which reflects contemporary realities, and is conducive to meeting the challenges of poverty and disease. We reaffirmed our common resolve to combat international terrorism, and to work towards an early and balanced outcome of the Doha round of talks. I conveyed my appreciation to Chancellor Merkel for her leadership and keen interest on the issues of climate change and energy security. I would like to thank Chancellor Merkel for her endorsement of the idea of per capita entitlements, and the need for developed countries to accept convergence of per capita Green House Gas emissions of developing countries with theirs. I invite Chancellor Merkel to make her comments.
PM flags off "Science Express"
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: October 30, 2007 New Delhi

PM flags off "Science Express" Hindi Version "It gives me great pleasure to be present here today in the company of Her Excellency Dr. Angela Merkel to launch this Science Express. I am particularly happy that this project is being launched by Dr. Merkel. She is not only a world leader of outstanding international repute but also herself is an accomplished scientist. Our collaboration with Germany in science and technology goes back several decades. We recall our partnership with Germany in setting up the Rourkela Steel Plant and Indian Institute of Technology at Chennai. As part of this progressively strengthening tradition, our scientists have now conceived and executed a novel idea of mounting an exhibition of a variety of interesting facets of modern science and its applications. Germany's achievements in the area of science, technology and research and development have made it an economic superpower in the world. As the world moves towards a knowledge economy, German organization, precision and innovation will help it in maintaining its economic leadership. When the Science Express leaves this station it will travel the length and breadth of India during the next several months. It will bring the wonders of modern science to remote corners of our vast country. The Science Express should contribute to the propagation of the scientific temper among our youth, which was a cherished dream of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of our country. The Science Express will build new bridges of understanding and goodwill between India and Germany. It will symbolize the exciting partnership between our scientists that befits the 21st century. It will symbolize and showcase our cooperation in the popularization of science and its importance to our relationship. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank the Max Planck Society in Germany, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Indian Railways and the Department of Science and Technology for making this project possible. In conclusion, I wish to reaffirm the importance we attach to our partnership with Germany. It is my sincere and fondest hope that we will see further such projects between India and Germany in the years to come."
PM's closing remarks at the 2nd IBSA Summit
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: October 17, 2007 South Africa

PM's closing remarks at the 2nd IBSA Summit Hindi Version "I am happy to say that our deliberations today were most fruitful. We have discussed ways of pooling our strengths and limited resources to maximum benefit. This gives me confidence that the IBSA process is moving into a phase where our trilateral collaboration will show concrete results. IBSA is a unique model of trans-national cooperation. Our three countries come from three different continents but share similar world views and aspirations. If we can make a success of our model of cooperation based on collective self-reliance, it will serve as an example for all developing countries. We have today found a renewed convergence of interests on major international issues of contemporary importance. We need to forge the closest cooperation possible, so that we can together ensure a more equitable international political and economic order. The world is already looking upon the IBSA framework as a significant step forward in the emergence of a global partnership for development. We had a constructive discussion on the Doha Round of trade talks. This has emerged as an important issue facing the international community, in which each of our countries has an important stake. We committed ourselves to working towards securing a balanced and successful outcome of the talks. The IBSA process has enabled parliamentarians, civil society, academia, mass media, women and other segments of society to engage with each other. We greatly value their contribution in reinforcing the efforts of the three governments. Over a period of time, IBSA should emerge as a peoples' movement. The high level involvement of business and industry in IBSA is particularly encouraging. Governments can only do so much. We should leverage public-private partnerships to fill funding gaps and increase efficiency in key sectors of our cooperation. The agreements and the Declaration that we will be signing will provide a new impulse to our cooperation. They reflect our emerging priorities. The implementation of the decisions we have taken should be carefully monitored, and a regular system of feedback should be put in place. I am confident that under the Chairmanship of South Africa, our joint efforts in the framework of IBSA will acquire even greater resilience and dynamism. I am most grateful to President Mbeki for the warm and generous hospitality we have received during our stay in this beautiful country."
PM's remarks during the interaction with the IBSA business council
Speaker: Dr.Manmohan Singh
Date: October 17, 2007 South Africa

PM's remarks during the interaction with the IBSA business council Hindi Version "I am particularly happy that the Business Forum has become an integral part of the IBSA process. A strong trade and economic partnership is essential for the success of IBSA. India, Brazil and South Africa are amongst the most dynamic developing economies of the world. We have obvious complementarities and strengths that we ought to share and build upon. We have set ourselves a modest target of 15 billion dollars by 2010 for trade among our three countries. My suggestion to our business leaders would be to aim to achieve this by 2009 and then go on to double that by 2012. Business must be pro-active. We in government assure you that we will endeavour to create the necessary environment for closer intra-IBSA trade and investment. We also hope that the Business Forum will work actively to create awareness of the opportunities that our three large markets provide. Each of us has strengths in Science & Technology. I would urge the business leaders present to look at innovative approaches to exploit these strengths including through joint R&D projects, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and ICT. Energy security is a major challenge confronting us. We should use synergies in this area to our common benefit. Brazil has comparative strengths in ethanol and bio-fuels; South Africa in Coal to Liquid and Gas to Liquid technologies. India has strengths in wind and solar energy. We need to look at how trilateral ventures in these areas can be made viable business models. Business also has a social responsibility. Within IBSA, we are in the process of elaborating a common Social Development strategy. We would welcome inputs from the business community to shape an effective public-private partnership in this area. Let me conclude by emphasizing how important it is for our business and industry to come together if we are to realise our objective of integrating our economies."