Envoys of Five Nations Present Credentials to President of India

Five envoys presented their credentials to the President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The envoys who presented their credentials were: - Her Excellency Ms. Lesego Ethel Motsumi, the High Commissioner of Botswana, His Excellency U. Zin Yaw, the Ambassador of Myanmar, His Excellency Mr. Juan Fernando Cordero, The Ambassador of Costa Rica, His Excellency Mr. Alon Ushpiz, the Ambassador of Israel and His Excellency Dr. Burak Akcapar, the Ambassador of Turkey.

Welcoming the envoys the President said that they are all joining their assignments at a time when India shall be celebrating its 65th Independence Day. The President said India's freedom struggle was led by Mahatma Gandhi, whose philosophy of peace and non-violence, knows no boundary of time or distance, for which reason his birthday is celebrated as the "International Day for Non-Violence". The President also said that India seeks to work with the international community for peace and development, which would create an environment for the progress and prosperity of people across the world.

The credential presentation ceremony was attended by the senior members of the missions, senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs and Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The release issued at 1315 hrs