Visit of Ambassador of Armenia to Tamil Nadu

26 January, 2016

On January 22-25, Ambassador of Armenia A.Martirosyan paid a working visit to the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu-Chennai. In the course of his visit Ambassador had meetings with the representatives of the business community of the state and the management of the leading educational institutions.

During the Business Forum organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers and Commerce and Industry jointly with the Honorary Consul of Armenia in Chennai, which was attended by more than 100 Indian businessmen, Ambassador Martirosyan presented export potential of several sectors of Armenian economy and answered the participants' questions. The Forum was also addressed by the participants of the Armenian-Indian business forum organized in Yerevan in November 2015, who already took initial steps towards establishment of entrepreneurial activity in Armenia. The latter described Armenia's current business environment as positive and attractive and called on their colleagues to invest in respective sectors of Armenian economy.

During his visit Ambassador Martirosyan held meetings with the management of Indian Institute of Technology Madras and Anna University of Chennai and discussed the prospects of establishment of scientific and educational cooperation with respective Armenian Universities.

Ambassador A.Martirosyan also visited Armenian Church which is situated on Armenian Street of the city.

Ambassador Martirosyan's visit to Tamil Nadu was covered in the state and national media.

Ambassador Martirosyan's speech at the banquet in Chennai

Let me welcome all the guests and thank the organizers for putting together this memorable gathering. I want to convey my cordial appreciation to the Honorary Consul of Armenia in Chennai Mr. Shivkumar Eashwaran for his personal efforts in organizing this important event.

It is common practice for foreign diplomats to use such occasions to discuss the current state and the potential of bilateral relations between their own state and a host country, in this case India. What is not so common, however, is a centuries-long shared history of their people that lived and prospered here. I believe I have the right to be a bit boastful today, as I represent a nation that can claim such a legacy. You would probably share my sentiments in this regard, as my pretensions were reaffirmed even by Honorable President of India Mr. Mukherjee during our meeting, when His Excellency made appreciative remarks concerning the footprints of Armenian civilization in India.

Today, instead of entertaining you with deliberations on the global and regional geopolitics and reiterations of dry economic data, I would rather introduce a bit of a change in pace and talk about the unique, centuries-old relationship between the Armenian nation and Chennai, which Armenians around the world still refer to as Madras.

This city is known as one of the centers of gravity around which the vibrant saga of Armenians in India unfolded four centuries ago. Talking here is far more than an honor. I am taken with sadness that stems from the root cause of the Armenians’ presence in India. It was not simply the pursuit of wealth and prosperity, as it was for many others, that urged Armenians to abandon their cherished Biblical homeland. While the pull factors were undoubtedly present, the primary reason for our settlement here was the mother of all push factors. The Armenian highlands had become crossroads on the surrounding empires 'rampage for territorial conquest, subjecting Armenian nation to massacres and displacement. In contrast to this tragic experience in the devastated Armenian highlands, Armenian churches, monuments and old cemeteries over here are the startling manifestations of the unprejudiced reception Indian civilization afforded the Armenians, enabling us to integrate into Indian society whilst maintaining all the components of our national identity. Indeed, I am also proud, since my people went above and beyond simply adopting and integrating and were able to excel in a land so distant and different from their own, contributing to the social-economic development of the host country and leaving behind a wealthy cultural heritage that has lasted for centuries.

It`s well known that Armenians first made permanent settlements in Madras in the year 1666 and having held the trade of the Carnatic in their hands, conducted lucrative businesses with Europe and the Far East. These successful merchants also became famous for their philanthropy and contributions to the advancement of Armenian classical literature and press in India and Europe. The first Armenian publication made in India was titled Exhortation, and was printed in Madras as far back as 1772. Around 1789, a group of patriotic Armenians from Madras started printing and publishing books in Armenian language. India is prominent in one of the most crowning events in Armenian history, since Azdarar, or The Herald, the first Armenian published journal, saw light for the first time ever on the 28^thof October 1794, here in Madras. It included birthday announcements, marriages, and deaths in the Madras Armenian community. The commercial and shipping information, as well as personal correspondences could be found on its pages, and even answers to correspondents were not neglected. Following the example of Madras, Armenian press was established in Calcutta in 1797. Based on the traditions of book printing in India, an Armenian merchant Khachick Movses who was trading with Calcutta, founded the Straits Times weekly in Singapore, the first edition of which came out on 15 July 1845.

In retrospect, these years may have been the golden age for the small but vibrant Armenian community in India. According to the historian of the 19^th century Jacob Seth, Armenians enjoyed all their rights and privileges so long as the East Indian Company had purely commercial interests. Matters took quite a different turn, however, when the Company embarked on a quest for territorial power so as to consolidate its position in India. Historical developments largely outside of the Indian Armenians control affected their very existence. The two world wars, India`s independence, and the consolidation of the Armenian Diaspora in Europe, Australia and the USA, lead to exodus of Armenians from India, leaving behind only historical monuments as reminders of bygone wealth and prosperity.

The revival of Armenian statehood 25 years ago, after 7 centuries of disruption, has opened new avenues for cooperation between our nations. I’m glad to be able to say that today Armenia and India enjoy friendly bilateral relations and fruitful cooperation in various multilateral organizations. As a former Ambassador of Armenia to the United Nations, I can manifest that my government has been the persistent supporter of India’s aspirations for a permanent membership to the UN Security Council, motivated by the belief that the voice of the rising global power that is India should be more prominent on the international stage.

In the meantime, there are no obstacles to pursuing a more active economic relationship between our countries. As a result of its socio-economic potential and existing institutional arrangements, and namely the presence of the honorary consulate of Armenia in Tamil Nadu, this state could play a leading role in promoting Indian-Armenian bilateral economic ties. I envision a relationship in which the entrepreneurs from your state would take advantage of Armenia’s potential as a member of the newly formed Eurasian Economic Union, of which I have spoken earlier today. Let me assure you once again that the government of Armenia in the person of its embassy in New Delhi is looking forward for a mutually beneficial cooperation with the business community of this beautiful state.

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