As far as Cambodia is concerned, we have recognised the Government of Prince Sihanouk. As for the PRG, I would like to assure the House that our sympathies are always with them in this matter. From the very beginning we have stood with the struggle of the Vietnamese people. After the Paris Agreement, we had discussions with the PRG’s representatives, and it is with their agreement that we have accepted that their General delegation should be set up in India. Certain letters are expected to be exchanged. Certainly, a new situation is developing. I can only say that we are watching the changing situation. You can rest assured that we will do the right thing at the right time......
As far as the Commonwealth is concerned, it is a very important forum for exchange of views. It is not a body which takes any policy decisions. It is not expected to do any such thing. But when heads of governments, coming from different regions at different levels of development come together, the exchange of views help each other. This has been my experience. Of course, I have not attended the Prime Ministers’ Conference as yet, but I have experience of the conference of the Finance Ministers of the Commonwealth. I must say that it helps us to come into contact with the Carrebean countries, the African Countries and the South Asian countries, and this exchange of views certainly helps us to develop a sort of consensus. It is good that some of the developed countries like Britain, Australia and New Zealand are present. Sometimes their availing of the views of the third world help them, though I am not sure how far, in influencing the decision-making in other countries like America.
I think I have practically dealt with all the major problems that were raised. .....
Some hon. Members referred to the question of cultural diplomacy. I would like to say that cultural diplomacy is one of the instruments for promoting friendly relations with other countries. Strictly speaking, cultural agreements and cultural exchange programmes are the responsibility of the Department of Culture. However, as one of the implementing agencies, the Indian Council of Cultural Relations, which is under the administrative control of my ministry, has been carrying out active and increasingly wider programmes of cultural exchanges with other countries, within the constrains imposed by our limited foreign exchange resources.
