I think before I come to south-East Asia, I should mention our relationship with Nepal which is very important for us and there has certainly been further progress on account of the visit of the Prime Minister of Nepal. Our relations are better than they were before and, I think, both sides have realised that they have to be realistic in this matter and it is that realism which has put this relationship in a still better condition. We have identified the areas of cooperation. I am sure, will certainly strengthen the political ties also.
The relationship with Bhutan is excellent and I do not think I need say anything more than that. We had a visit from the King to India last year. I also visited Bhutan last year. Their Ministers also come here at different levels and the relationship is certainly growing from strength to strength.
Now, coming to South-East Asia, I would like to say that recently we welcomed the approach of the ASEAN States for peaceful and good-neighbourly relations in the region. Our relations with individual nations are good. I should say that with Malaysia we have got good economic relations and so is the case With Indonesia and Thailand. The most important thing that I would like to mention about South-East Asia is the emergence of Vietnam, the victory of North Vietnam. Their decision to reunify South Vietnam and North Vietnam is a very important development of 1976 for Asia. First of all, a small nation of nearly 45 million people, united nation - fought against the biggest power in the world and ultimately triumphed, showed that a determined people inspired by nationalism and progressive ideology, can fight like one man and ultimately succeed. I mention this thing because the emergence of a United Vietnam is a very important factor for peace and progress in Asia. We had recently the visit of the Foreign Minister of Vietnam. But I would not like to merely mention her as the Foreign Minister of Vietnam but as Madame Binh, who is one of the important leaders of Vietnam. Her visit gave us an idea that our outlook and our views on more important economic issues and international issues are, similar or identical. I am sure our co-operation will certainly and to the strength of the forces of peace in Asia and the world.
I must mention the other important continent, and that is Africa. As somebody said yesterday, these are the areas which are more important for us. I think Prof. Dutt said that these are the most important areas for us. To the north of India, USSR is our neighbour, so is China. Then we have West Asia, South East Asia and across the Indian Ocean is the African continent. As you know, the most difficult question that the world faces today is the issue of national liberation in the Southern Africa, the question of liberation of Zimbabwe, that is, Rhodesia, Nambia and the struggle against the forces of racism in South Africa. The situation there is something that really causes concern to us. It should cause concern to everybody who has got interest in peace in the world, because things have so developed there that in spite of efforts made for negotiations, for understanding, I think the situation is such that possibly an armed struggle is the only way left. If there is unity amongst the liberating forces, it will be much better for them. This is certainly an area where we will have to keep our eyes fixed because these are areas of tension, areas of conflict against injustice, where we cannot helpless spectators. That is why we are watching it actively. Our sympathies are definitely on the side of the forces of liberation. One cannot rule out the possibility of intervention by other big powers there. So this is one area which, is a matter of concern to us.
