His Excellency Ranjit Rae, Ambassador of India, in Hungary paid an official visit to the Faculty of Humanities of Pázmány Péter Catholic University on 23rd September 2009. After an informal meeting at the Dean's Office, His Excellency gave a lecture officially opening the International Studies MA course.

In his speech, His Excellency emphasized not only the growing importance of India, but also its diplomatic relations in the globalized world. 'External and internal issues have become of equal importance,' His Excellency explained. 'Countries, besides strengthening their internal affairs, should lay emphasis on pressing questions affecting the global world such as climate change, global warming and poverty. In solving these problems not only the developed but also the developing countries have to take responsibility,' claimed His Excellency in His speech.

His Excellency also highlighted the current problems of health care, AIDS and drug dealing. To solve these, His Excellency considered social development to be the most important aspect along with efficiency, innovation and new ideas. In addition, we also have to make an effort to establish good relationship with the neighbouring states because problems like air pollution cannot be solved on our own, without the neighbour's understanding and support.

Furthermore, His Excellency pointed out that, due to the direction of change, the importance of non-state actors in polity and society has considerably grown. This tendency indicates the need for an increased importance of NGOs, civil societies and regional blocks that should be involved more effectively in international decision-making.

Finally, His Excellency emphasized the strong friendship between India and Hungary as a member state of the European Union and called for mutual cooperation between European and Asian countries, which is our common interest and the indispensable key to our future.

Anna Juhos
Centre of International Studies