Author:
Publication: BJP Today
Date: February 1-15, 2003
Introduction: Naidu focus on perils
of terrorism
Ambassadors, High Commissioners,
and high-ranking diplomats representing various countries of the world
respond to the invitation of BJP President M. Venkaiah Naidu to join him
for an informal get together over lunch at the Party headquarters on January
8. It is for the first time in the history of the BJP that such a get-together
was arranged by the Party, although Ambassadors of various countries had
been calling on the party presidents for the last several years. Shri Naidu,
in his introductory remark, said:
"May I welcome you all to the headquarters
of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Many of you have been to our office individually
or in groups but this is perhaps the first time that we have such a large
gathering of diplomats at one time. Our objective is to acquaint you with
the activities of our party and to enable you understand better the ideals,
aims and policies of the BJP. For this purpose, I feel that personal interaction
between the diplomats and leaders of our party can be of vital importance.
You, no doubt, read and hear a lot about our party in the print and electronic
media. But the views expressed are so diverse that it can sometimes be
confusing and even misleading. We would like you to have a direct interaction
with our party leaders so that you can clarify any doubts you may have
or ask any questions that come to your mind. The Foreign Affairs Committee
of our party has been keeping you informed regularly about the deliberations
of the National Executive Committee. I understand that the diplomatic community
has appreciated these periodic communications. We now wish to move a step
forward and create opportunities for personal contacts.
"Until it came to power at the head
of the National Democratic Alliance, the Bharatiya Janata Party was not
widely known in the international community. Even now, not many are well
acquainted with the party's background, its policies and objectives. We
are, therefore, stepping, up our efforts to establish party-to-party relationship
with political parties in several countries. We would appreciate your assistance
in this regard, to the extent that it is possible for you to do so.
"Friends, international community
today is grappling with a problem that concerns us all and that is the
issue of terrorism. It has become a world-wide phenomenon and unless checked
in time, it can become a serious threat to the security of most countries
around the world. We have already seen how the international situation
has been affected by the happenings of September 11, 2001. It appears that
the world is not the same any more. Every aspect of life is overshadowed
by the spectre of terrorism. While it is a new experience for most countries,
we in India have faced this problem for years. Only its impact has become
more pronounced in recent times. Given this background, the Youth Wing
of our party, the Yuva Morcha has organised an International Youth Conference
on Terrorism. The objective is to invite the young leaders of political
parties around the world to discuss ways and means of checking, the spread
of terrorist activities. It is the young leaders who will inherit tomorrow's
world. They must take a hard look at this dreaded phenomenon and come up
with a resolve to eliminate this threat so that future generations may
live in a peaceful world.
"Before I ask the Yuva Morcha to
make a brief presentation about the forthcoming International Youth Conference.
I would like to thank you for accepting my invitation to participate in
this luncheon gathering. I do hope this would be the beginning of a regular
interaction between the BJP and the diplomatic community.
Thank you.
