Hon. K. L. Ganju, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the FICAC South Asia Regional Conference, addresses the Conference.
Also in picture are H. E. Mr. Tejendra Khanna, Hon. Lt. Governor of Delhi, President of the World Federation of Consuls Hon. Arnold Foote and Secretary General Hon. Aykut Eken.

H.E. Mr. Tejendra Khanna, The Lt. Governor of Delhi
The Hon’ble Mr. Arnold Foote, O.J.,C.D., J.P., President of World Federation of Consuls (FICAC)
Hon’ble Mr. Vivek Burman, President of the Honorary Consular Corps Diplomatique – India
Hon’ble Mr. K.S. Bhalla, Chairman, World Federation of Consuls South Asia Regional Committee
Excellencies the Ambassadors/High Commissioners and their spouses, Hon’ble Consuls and their spouses, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I deem it a great privilege to welcome you all to the First FICAC South Asia Consular Conference, On behalf of the HCCD – India and on my personal behalf, I wish to sendmy warmest greetings to you all.

We in the HCCD – India indeed feel highly honoured that the First FICAC South Asia Consular Conference is being convened in New Delhi. We are really happy that a large number of Hony. Consuls from South Asia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, etc., have found time in their busy schedules to participate in this conference.

You are no doubt aware about the programme of this conference. After the inauguration, there would be lectures by four eminent personalities and their themes would be related in one way or another to the developments in South Asia. We hope these lectures would provide a regional flavour to this conference.

The purpose of these Regional Conferences is to provide a venue to Hony. Consuls from all parts of the world to meet and interact with each other. It is our sincere hope that this conference too will lead to strengthening of bonds of friendship and understanding between Hony. Consuls.

I need hardly say that Hony. Consuls play a significant role in the World of Diplomacy. Unfortunately, it is not well appreciated. I do hope the First FICAC South Asia Consular Conference will carry forward the process of highlighting the role played by the Hony. Consuls and how they help to cement the relations between their host countries and the countries they represent.

Apart from lectures, we have organised entertainment programmes for you prior to the dinner on 15th and 16th February. We are sure you will enjoy them and they will provide you with an insight into India’s rich cultural heritage.

In the end, we wish to thank the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi for all their support and cooperation.

Welcome to all of you once more and do enjoy your stay in this beautiful capital city of India.