Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday addressed the Indian Diaspora in Iceland. In his address, the President said that the Indian community in Iceland is forging deep people-to-people relations with the country. The President also called the Indian diaspora ‘cultural ambassadors’ for Iceland. He applauded the people for their contribution to the local society in Iceland through their skills and knowledge.

“We live in an age defined by knowledge, technology and digital space. These represent new markers of our growing ties with Iceland. We are proud of your achievements. You convey a message of India that is highly mobile and highly skilled”.

Ram Nath Kovind on India-Iceland ties

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Ram Nath Kovind called for efforts from the Indian Community to promote Ayurveda and traditional knowledge system. The President also expressed his happiness on learning that Hindi would now be taught at the University of Iceland. He said that the move will help strengthen the cultural ties between the two countries.

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The President also highlighted the steps taken by the Central Government at the event and said that the Government has set a target of becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2025. He also said that the Government is trying to provide clean tap water to every household by 2024 through the Jal Jeevan Abhiyaan initiative. Terming India’s efforts toward global goodwill, the President said that, in the last five years India has rescued over 90,000 Indians and 50 nationals from other countries caught in humanitarian situations overseas. As a result, people have new faith in the Government.

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Ram Nath Kovind to meet Iceland's President and Prime Minister

President Ram Nath Kovind who is on a 9-day European visit, will hold talks with Icelandic President Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson and Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir. He will also deliver a lecture at the University of Iceland on ‘India-Iceland partnership toward a greener planet’. The President will visit Switzerland and Slovenia next.
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(With input from ANI)