New Delhi: President of India Droupadi Murmu accepted credentials from the Ambassadors/High Commissioners of Azerbaijan, Lesotho, Zambia, Sri Lanka and Greece at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (January 5, 2024).
Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elchin Nariman Oglu Huseynli; High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Lesotho Lebohang Valentine Mochaba; High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia Percy P. Chanda; High Commissioner of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Kshenuka Dhireni Senewiratne; Ambassador of Greece Aliki Koutsomitopoulou presented credentials to the President of India Droupadi Murmu.
Office of the President's Secretariat posted on X:
"President Droupadi Murmu received credentials from Mr Elchin Nariman Oglu Huseynli, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Mrs Lebohang Valentine Mochaba, High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Lesotho; and Mr Percy P. Chanda, High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia at Rashtrapati Bhavan."
"President Droupadi Murmu received credentials from Ms Kshenuka Dhireni Senewiratne, High Commissioner of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; and Mrs Aliki Koutsomitopoulou, Ambassador of Greece at Rashtrapati Bhavan."
Office of the President's Secretariat and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued press release regarding the ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 5:
"The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu accepted credentials from the Ambassadors/High Commissioners of Azerbaijan, Lesotho, Zambia, Sri Lanka and Greece at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (January 5, 2024).
Those who presented their credentials were:
1. H.E. Mr Elchin Nariman Oglu Huseynli, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan
2. H.E. Mrs Lebohang Valentine Mochaba, High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Lesotho
3. H.E. Mr Percy P. Chanda, High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia
4. H.E. Ms Kshenuka Dhireni Senewiratne, High Commissioner of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
5. H.E. Mrs Aliki Koutsomitopoulou, Ambassador of Greece"
India and Azerbaijan have friendly relations and growing bilateral cooperation based on civilizational linkages, cultural affinities and shared values of understanding and respect for other cultures.
India recognized Azerbaijan as an independent country in December 1991 soon after it proclaimed its independence from the USSR formally in October 1991. Diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan were established on 28 February 1992. The resident Indian Mission was opened in Baku in March 1999. Azerbaijan opened its resident Mission in New Delhi in October 2004.
India and Lesotho enjoy a strong relationship that has stood the test of time and is based on shared values and principles, underpinned by the noble objective of South-South cooperation.
The leaders of Zambian freedom struggle drew inspiration from the leaders of India's freedom struggle, particularly Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi continues to inspire and invoke admiration in Zambia and among its leaders, even the younger generation. The warm relations have continued into this century. Over these last several decades, India has come to be seen as a reliable partner and friend and is described by Zambian leaders as an "all weather and time-tested friend". The relationship continues to be driven by mutual respect and is based in a spirit of partnership for mutual benefit.
India is Sri Lanka's closest neighbour. The relationship between the two countries is more than 2,500 years old and both sides have built upon a legacy of intellectual, cultural, religious and linguistic interaction.
India and Greece established diplomatic relations in May 1950. India opened its resident Embassy in Athens in March 1978. Interaction between India and Greece goes back to antiquity.
In modern times, the two countries have developed a warm relationship based on a common commitment to democracy, peace and development in the world and to a social system imbued with principles of justice and equality. India and Greece also share common approaches to many international issues, such as UN reforms and Cyprus.
