Richard Nixon photo

Remarks on Departure From India

August 01, 1969

Mr. President, Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen:

As I leave India after this third visit, I leave with a sense of destiny, and also with a greater confidence than ever before about the future--the future for this country--and because this country's future is one that will have such an enormous effect on all of Asia and the world, confidence in the future of the world.

My talks with the Prime Minister, with you, Mr. President, with members of the Government, have been most helpful in establishing a new channel of communication, a new attitude with regard to the relations between our two countries, that I believe means our working together more effectively than in the past for interests that transcend any national concerns, but that go to our desires that we mutually share for peace and friendship, freedom, justice, all of these great principles that go far beyond any country, far beyond any continent, that go throughout the world.

I want to say finally, Mr. President, that Mrs. Nixon and I are most grateful for the warm hospitality that we have received on every side, not only at the magnificent state dinner last night, but also from the hundreds of thousands of people that we saw lining the streets on a hot day, in the middle of the day. To this we certainly want to say our thanks, because we know that this means that we have friends here, personal friends, as well as those who may be friends because of our official position.

We hope to return some day, not only to see this country and its leaders, but to see again our many friends in India. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 10:45 a.m. at Palam Airport in New Delhi. Acting President Mohammed Hidayatullah's, remarks follow:

Mr. President, it has been a pleasure and privilege to have you and Mrs. Nixon visit us, even though your visit was so brief. You have seen for yourself, in a small measure, the great warmth of feeling and friendship that my government and people entertain for you both and for your people. Your visit, Mr. President, as I have no doubt, helped in further strengthening our friendly relations and our mutual understanding and will, I am sure, lead to greater cooperation between our two countries.

I should like to take this opportunity of wishing you bon voyage, happy landings, and success in your quest for peace. Thank you.

Richard Nixon, Remarks on Departure From India Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/239829

Filed Under

Categories

Attributes

Location

India

Simple Search of Our Archives