I had always wondered about the procedure of choosing a guest for the Republic Day celebrations that happen in New Delhi. Going by this article, there seems to be a strategy behind the whole selection. It all depends on the way India percieves the person its inviting, the kind of relations between the two countries and if India wants to elevate the relationship level and lots more. This year’s Republic Day guest is South Korean President, Lee Myung-Bak.
In an innovation increasingly evident, the government has been weaving strategy with hospitality to decide its chief guest for the Republic Day. So in the 60th year of the republic, as it gets ready to host chief guest and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, New Delhi has given the final environmental clearance to Posco, the South Korean steel giant, to set up a $12-billion steel plant in Orissa. The project is the single biggest foreign investment in the country.
There are other reasons as well for India to extend this year’s honour to Lee. South Korea is an influential player in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum where India has a growing stake, because of which New Delhi feels the need for a greater engagement with APEC member countries.
Read the full article here
Pictures courtesy: Wikipedia & 26alphabets
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