I have been given the opportunity of inaugurating this beautiful exhibition, organized by Unity International Foundation, in cooperation with the Embassy of the People's Republic of China and the State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China.

I have been told that Snowland Exhibition covers 350 masterpieces of 00 world-renowned photographers from 19 countries who clicked rare scenery of Western China's charming landscape and exquisite art and architecture. I hope the viewers will highly appreciate and enjoy the Exhibition.

India and China are the two ancient civilizations with long and eventful history. Interaction between these two great countries is very important from a global perspective.

During the past 5,000 years, Chinese civilization has been continuously enriched, developed and enhanced as a result of cross-fertilization with other cultures. I am sure the Snowland Exhibition will bring both of our countries and cultures closer to each other and thus it will contribute to the further growth of human civilization.

In 1988, China and India signed a cultural cooperation agreement and since then large scale art festivals and cultural exchange between the two countries have taken place. We need to build more such partnerships to bridge the cultural gaps and strengthen people to people ties between India and China.

I declare open this fascinating Exhibition and congratulate the members of Unity International Foundation and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China for giving us an opportunity to see these exceptional photographs.