Doha - Qatar and India have many common interestss and can enjoy a perfect symbiotic relationship in various areas of development, including technology transfer, said Somnath Chatterjee, the Speaker of India's House of the People or the Lok Sabha, told The Peninsula on Tuesday.
Chatterjee was in Doha on his way back to India after a visit to Saudi Arabia.
Chatterjee led a delegation of parliamentarians to Saudi Arabia, where they held talks with the Shoura Council Chairman Dr Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid and the Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, on improving cooperation between Saudi Arabia and India in political, social and economic spheres.
As the speaker of the Indian parliament, Chatterjee is one of the highest constitutional functionaries in India and undoubtedly one of the most influential Asian politicians to visit the Middle East, in recent times.
Chatterjee has had the unique distinction of being elected to the Indian parliament for three and a half decades, in a democratic form of government.
"A fair share of credit for Qatar's quick development can be attributed to the presence of skilled Indian professionals. You name the field and Indians have proved their mettle here. Though, of course, Qatar has been large-hearted and magnanimous to appreciate and honour the worth of Indian professionals," said the veteran Indian politician.
Criticised in India for having made numerous trips abroad to attract foreign direct investment, FDI, into his parent state West Bengal, and signing scores of Memoranda of Understandings, Chatterjee earned the nick-name of MOU-DA, which literally means the elder brother who only facilitated MOUs.
When asked if he found it difficult to shed the tag of MOU-DA back in India, Chatterjee vivaciously replied that he enjoyed his role of coordinating bilateral promotions and coordination between foreign governments and India.
"Of course I enjoy being MOU-DA and being projected by the foreign media and political opponents as the man behind MOUs in India. At the end of the day, it only brings like-minded friendly nations closer to India," said the Indian Speaker.
When asked about the possibility of his taking over as the next President of India and emerging as the hottest contender for the most prestigious job in the Indian subcontinent, Chatterjee replied that he would humbly accept the role of being the 'first servant' of the world's largest democracy, should the opportunity come his way.
Though, he did not want to speculate on it.
"I am surprised that your newspaper in Doha knows about this speculation. Anyhow, the office of the President of India is extremely important and sacred, and I have always thought that the Indian media should keep away from its speculations. However, should I receive this opportunity, I will be happy to act as the first servant of my country," said Chatterjee.
By Sourav Roy
© The Peninsula 2007
