Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Speech on departure from Delhi

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: Delhi Airport
Source: Thatcher Archive
Editorial comments: Around 1535.
Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 293

Indira GandhiPrime Minister, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Before leaving Delhi, I would like to thank you most warmly on behalf of myself, my family and the members of my delegation for the kindness and hospitality which have been extended to us by you and by everyone we have met.

I am grateful to you for the time you have so generously found.

The high expectations with which I came have already been amply fulfilled. Our talks on major international and bilateral issues were useful and I believe effective. They have deepened our understanding of each other's major concerns. They have persuaded me of a fundamental similarity, born of shared values, in our approaches to many of the major problems of the world. They have reaffirmed the closeness of our friendship. [end p1]

Prime Minister, I am enormously impressed by the way in which India under your guidance is courageously facing its problems and making great strides towards surmounting them. I have expressed Britain's readiness to help in whatever way it can. I believe that the documents which have been signed during my visit will make a major contribution to this goal. And they are but the tip of the iceberg: the discussions we have had, have brought us even closer together so that where there may be differences, there is understanding and where shared approach, even fuller co-operation.

I am sad to leave Delhi, but I am looking forward to my visit to Bombay where I shall see more evidence of India's industrial, scientific and commercial achievements. I shall carry with me an indelible impression of the calm dignity, fortitude and warmth which lies at the heart of India and the knowledge that here I am among friends. [end p2]

I thank you once again and offer my warm regards to you and to the people of India.