RPINDIA ARCHIVE
PGMA
looks forward to revival of cultural ties with India
NEW DELHI -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said here
today that she looks forward to the revival of cultural ties
and enhancement of economic, political, trade and diplomatic
integration between the Philippines and India.
"India played a very important influence on the culture
of the Philippines way back before the Spaniards colonized
us and we want to revive our cultural ties,” she said
in a brief media interview after the welcome ceremonies accorded
her at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi this
morning.
The President described India now as the fourth largest economy
in the world and with that, she said, comes great responsibilities
to her neighbors in the economic, political and security fields.
"And as one of the neighbors of India in the East Asian
region, we are happy to be here to move the integration of
our economies forward," she explained.
The President arrived Thursday night at the Palam Air Force
Station here from Mumbai. She was accompanied by Foreign Affairs
Secretary Alberto Romulo, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap,
Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, Tourism Secretary
Joseph Durano and Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye.
Clad in an aqua marine dress, the Chief Executive arrived
at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Indian Presidential palace,
at 9:05 a.m. (11:35 a.m. Manila time) officially opening her
State Visit here.
She was accorded red carpet welcome by Indian Prime Minister
Dr. Manmohan Singh and President SMT Pratibha Devisingh Patil
amid full military honors.
The President walked down the red carpet aisle towards the
dais where the Indian Guard of Honor band played the Philippine
and Indian national anthems.
Singh and Patil introduced President Arroyo to the members
of their cabinet and dignitaries.
The Filipino Chief Executive then placed a wreath at the
Samadhi (tomb) of Mahatma Gandhi, walked around the tomb in
a clockwise direction before returning to the archway where
she signed the Visitor's Book.
She then returned to the Oberoi Hotel where she is billeted
for the rest of her visit.
This afternoon, the President will have an expanded bilateral
meeting with Prime Minister Singh before attending a State
Banquet to be hosted by President Patil in the evening.
She will have a series of courtesy calls with various Indian
businessmen and prominent personalities as well as a coffee
meeting with the Filipino community.
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