YEREVAN. - Yerevan solemnly celebrated the National Day of India today. An official reception on occasion of the 67th anniversary of the Indian Republic Day was held on this occasion today.  

The Indian Ambassador to Armenia Suresh Babu thanked the representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Armenia, as well as officials, political and public figures  present at the reception.

According to the Ambassador, on this day in 1950, India was declared a republic and later developed a Constitution which became the basis on which the free and democratic India was built.  

Ambassador Babu noted that India conforms to the rule of law, freedom of speech and equal rights to all the citizens. Despite the social and economic challenges, currently India develops as a global leader of information and communication technologies, new companies and pharmaceutical industry, he said. These challenges emerge as a result of different internal and external factors, which directly or indirectly influence the country  but, according to the Ambassador, they only give flexibility to resist them and find solutions.

According to the Ambassador, with already recorded 7.3 percent growth, India plans to become the fastest growing economy, ensuring 7.5 percent of growth in 2016.

Referring to the relations with Armenia, Suresh Babu noted that the bilateral relations with friendly Armenia record constant progress. He also stressed that the first International Yoga Day, successfully organized with the help of the Armenian friends and due to the activity of yoga lovers, helped the Embassy disseminate the message “Yoga in the name of fitness.”

In 2016, a number of bilateral visits and events, which will shift the relations between India and Armenia to a higher level, are scheduled to take place. Mr Babu also said that this was the last time he celebrated the Republic Day in Armenia, since he completes his diplomatic mission in that country. In the Ambassador’s words, life in this ancient, beautiful and friendly country gave him the opportunity to familiarize himself with the Armenian people, who carry in themselves an enormous potential for knowledge and talent.