NEW YORK (TIP): The Consulate General of India in New York organized October 10 a Reception-cumdinner at the Consulate Ballroom in honor of E. Ahmed, Minister of State for External Affairs, to meet members of the Indian-American community as well as the media. Dharmendra Yadav, the youngest Member of Parliament, who had addressed the United Nations in Hindi earlier in the day, was also present at the function, which was well attended. Manjeev Singh Puri, the Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations also attended

Welcoming the Minister, Consul General Ambassador Prabhu Dayal said that he is privileged to have known the Minister from the early 90s and has since then been in regular touch with him during his earlier assignments in Kuwait, Dubai, Morocco, etc. The Consulate General of India in New York was fortunate to have him here whenever he visits USA, he added, and thanked the Minister for sparing his precious time and gracing the occasion. He also welcomed the youngest Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh, Dharmendra Yadav. The Minister thanked Ambassador Dayal for hosting a grand reception and providing him an opportunity to meet and interact with the vibrant Indian-American community. Echoing Ambassador Dayal’s words, Minister Ahmed said that he had known Ambassador Dayal even while he was a Member of Parliament and has always remained in close contact with him wherever he was.

On India’s foreign policy, the Minister asserted that it is dictated by our national interest, and, therefore, there are bound to be differences even with friendly countries like USA. He also gave an example of Myanmar on which India differed with USA. Complementing the Indian Foreign Service officers for their acumen and foresightedness in chalking out India’s foreign policy, he said that having been associated with the Ministry of External Affairs and working closely with these officers for several years, he has complete faith in their competence. Expressing his happiness at the comfortable life led by the Indian- American community, Minister hoped to see a similar standard of life in India in the near future. He also urged the Indian-American community to make optimal use of the recently announced Foreign Direct Investment policy initiatives by the Government of India.

Thanking Ambassador Dayal for inviting him to the Consulate, Dharmendra Yadav thanked Ambassador Dayal for inviting him to the Consulate. He said he felt very happy that he could address the UN in Hindi, which was well received, and thanked the Permanent Mission of India for making it happen