Deputy Speaker of the RA National Assembly, head of the Armenia-India friendship group Hakob Arshakyan, member of the friendship group Tsovinar Vardanyan, and deputy of the RA NA “Civil Contract” faction Hasmik Hakobyan met on July 11 with Indian Lok Sabha member, founder of Kalinga University of Industrial Technology, professor Achuta With Samantha, and Chief of Staff Dr. Varun Sutra.
Welcoming the guests in the parliament, Hakob Arshakyan noted that Armenia attaches importance to and highly values warm, friendly relations with India. “Inter-parliamentary cooperation, which has always been at a high level, is one of the important links between our states. The Armenia-India friendship group operates in the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, which I have the honor to lead,” said Hakob Arshakyan. He said he recently participated in the 8th international conference, “Raisina Dialogue,” held in New Delhi, the capital of India, together with MP Tsovinar Vardanyan. “I am impressed by the visit, during which I also met with the Honorable Speaker of the Lok Sabha of the Indian Parliament, Om Birla. Several effective and constructive meetings were also held during the visit. I must say that the visit was meaningful, during which several issues of mutual interest were discussed,” said the head of the friendship group, adding that Armenia is deeply interested in deepening relations with India in various fields. Hakob Arshakyan expressed hope that the visit of Professor Achuta Samanta will also, among many programs, contribute to the implementation of new inter-university events and programs in the field of education between the two countries. According to the deputy chairman of the National Assembly, Armenia and India cooperate effectively in education. Indian students study at the Yerevan State Medical University, the State Engineering University of Armenia, and the Agrarian University of Armenia.
Founder Professor Achuta Samantha of the Kalinga University of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and Social Science (KISS), India, thanked her for the warm welcome. He highlighted the importance of interaction between the two countries parliaments, which is aimed at strengthening the friendship of the Armenian and Indian peoples.
Hakob Arshakyan presented the consequences of the war unleashed by Azerbaijan in 2020, the situation in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. He spoke about the ongoing aggressive actions by Azerbaijan, and the humanitarian crisis caused by the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor, noting that Armenia has no territorial claims against its neighbors and the Armenian government has adopted a peaceful agenda in the region.
Professor Achuta Samanta presented the activities of the advanced professional training centers – Kalinga University of Industrial Technology and Social Sciences University.
Tsovinar Vardanyan, a member of the Armenia-India Friendship Group of the RA National Assembly, MP Tsovinar Vardanyan, informed that he recently participated in the Y20 youth forum held within the framework of the G20 forum held in Bhubaneswar and thanked Professor Achuta Samanta for the opportunity. She noted that there are great opportunities for expanding cooperation in education between the two states, “During the conference, I met many famous people; I saw your invaluable work, which inspires everyone. Your dedication to work and all the good that you do with exceptional modesty for the needy is priceless,” said Tsovinar Vardanyan. He hoped this visit would provide an opportunity to find strong bridges serving both countries. “Friendly relations between Armenia and India started from the beginning of civilization. Both countries have gone through tough times. Diplomatic relations between Armenia and India were established in 1992, and these relations are developing with great activity. Today, Armenia is still in the process of solving its security problems. As you know, the main goal of our government is to open an era of peace in the region, and despite all the difficulties, we are committed to the peace agenda. Today, more than ever, the support of our international partners in this process is important,” said the deputy, adding that he is honored to accept with great responsibility the offer to become a member of the international advisory board of KIIT and KISS universities. Tsovinar Vardanyan thanked the Armenian students for the opportunity to study at KIIT with a full scholarship.
