Your Excellencies,
President of the Hamburg Parliament,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to welcome you most cordially to Hamburg, where we have the good fortune to be able to mark the opening of two different events together today.
India Year in Germany will only officially begin this evening. But perhaps you will permit me to mention here and now how much Germany and especially Hamburg is looking forward to a year in the course of which we will be learning so much more about this fascinating country than we already know.
There are our friendly political relations and close economic contacts on the one hand. And, of course, many citizens of Hamburg have long been captivated, in so many different ways, by Indian literature and Indian music.
A true premiere is the fact that one of your countrys frigates, the Indian Naval Ship Teg, is anchoring in Hamburg as its first official foreign port of call on its maiden voyage. And this is, of course, absolutely perfect in view of the other event that is taking place today: the 823rd Anniversary of the Port of Hamburg. India is our partner country for these festivities, and this is a joy and an honour for Hamburg.
Minister Sharma,
Later on, we will be boarding the Rickmer Rickmers a much older ship, and also a beautiful one to open the Port Anniversary celebrations together. They will include a three-day India Festival on the waterfront promenade, near our famed Fish Market, with more than 40 stalls. I am certain that the natives of Hamburg and their many guests will be enthusiastically queueing up.
Along with you, Minister Sharma, I would like to extend my warmest greetings to the other members of your high-ranking delegation.
Being an important member of the BRICS group of countries, India is distinguished by its large, fast-growing economy. Hamburg connections include Arcelor Mittal, the world´s leading steel and mining company, here at Dradenau, and Suzlon Energy, part of Hamburgs reputation as the capital of wind energy in Germany.
We have already promoted a cultural and economic exchange between our countries four times the last of these this past October within the framework of India Week. I am personally very excited about my own first trip to India, planned for later this year.
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The name of the Indian Naval Ship that has anchored here in the Port of Hamburg stands for Towards Eternal Glory. I hope that a wonderful future lies ahead in the relationships between India and Germany and between India and Hamburg in so many different areas.
Many thanks.