"I deem it a great privilege to be invited to inaugurate the two-day New Delhi Conference on DialogueAmong Civilisations. At the outset I must congratulate our Human Resource Development Minister for taking thisvery timely and much needed initiative. I must also congratulate Director-General, UNESCO, who has providedfull support during all the stages of planning and organising this Dialogue. I extend a warm welcome to allour friends from abroad who have come to participate in this Conference.