Now, the main point that ultimately we have to consider is : Where do we go from here? This is the main point as to what ultimately we are to do. There is no shortcut in developing or going in the right direction as far as international policies are concerned because it is a difficult world, it is a changing world and it is a complex world in which we have to assess our own strength.
We have to have our own objective principles of policy and follow them firmly, with full faith and this is exactly what Government of India is doing for the last 25 years. I think the leaders who have laid down this policy have acted wisely. This is what I would like to tell you again that at the time of every crisis the entire Indian people have stood by this policy and that is because the basic policy is very strong. This is where the strength of the policy comes. It is a policy which is not manipulated by anybody for rich countries on the promise of support or manipulated by any ambitious politicians. It is a policy which has grown out of certain convictions and the life of the people. Therefore it has this sort of strength. Whether Pakistan has done it or USA has done this, ultimately whatever they do, I entirely agree with all the Members - not any particular Member, but I just remember the last two speeches because they were the last and therefore they are a little fresh in my mind - that ultimately the function of the international policy is the function for internal unity of the people and economic strength of our own people. And for that matter what we will have to do is to pursue the policy of non-alignment, pursue the policy of keeping unity of the third world, strengthen the non-alignment movement and try to build up relations between our neighbours to which we have given the highest priority and which we are pursuing positively, consistently, ceaselessly and successfully.
Somebody mentioned about Asian security or collective security. This idea is floated. But nobody has yet concretised or defined what it means. If it means creating an atmosphere of economic or political co-operation in Asia, yes; well and good; it is all right. But the conditions here will have to be objectively seen and then we have to go ahead. Personally I feel there are certain regional areas which are difficult. There are certain areas in which there are tensions and though some Simla process we have to try to eliminate these things and strengthen relationship. There are certain contradictions in the situation in the Gulf countries. There are certain contradictions in South East Asia. We have to remove these on the basis of a network of bilateral relationship and then there may some sort of multi-lateral idea of co-operation. We do not want to give an idea that collective security is aimed at anybody. This is not what we mean. I am very glad that this process is on not in the sub-continent, but elsewhere, despite this decision of USA to supply arms to Pakistan. And what we said has come true. Within fifteen days of the announcement of the decision on U. S. arms aid to Pakistan, Bhutto’s language has changed. He was saying he wants to follow Simla Agreement. But for the first time after a long time he spoke the language of war. Well, sometimes I feel like not taking him seriously. But experience has shown that you cannot take him complacently also. But, really speaking, he knows about it. Ultimately, this wrong language and wrong step will lead to results which are not going to be healthy results for them also.
