We want all friendship with Bangladesh. We want all the stability in Bangladesh and progress in Bangladesh because, basically we think the problems of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan are the same - the poverty of the broad masses of people. Unless we solve this problem of poverty of the broad masses of people, there is no hope of any further development. And there comes the question of peace because if there remains a vast humanity who are depressed, who are exploited, how can there be peace in the world? It is only the prosperous humanity, contented humanity, a humanity which is not exploited that terms of peace. And when we talk of peace, it is not just a pious wish. It is a very positive concept one has to work for it, and work very hard.
Sir, some Members reminded me about our relations with the Arabs. Particularly a Member from our side asked me what we are doing about the Arabs and why we did not mention in our Report about Kenya and the Arabs. He said that in 1974 - 75, it was mentioned. Well, I can tell him that our relations with the Arab countries and West Asian countries, not only the Arabs, the Iranians and the people of Turkey, and the whole of the Arab world, have been continuous and traditional. On the major issue of West Asia or the ‘Middle East’ as it is called, on the question of Palestine, for example, we have always supported the Arab cause. And Dr. Pande again yesterday mentioned the history of it and how Gandhiji reacted when it was decided to send the Israelis into Palestine.
He was not sitting down in the conference of foreign affairs advisers and experts. As a leader of millions of masses, he just naturally reacted. And I can tell you that, that is the basis of the foreign policy of India towards the Arab world since 1927 or 1928. Since then, it has become the policy of India. So, our relations with them are good and in the last few years, we have made much more progress with conscious efforts. Our relations with Iraq have been very friendly and positive. Our relations with Egypt have been traditionally good since the days of our independence. Our relations with Syria are good. Our relations with most of the Gulf countries are good. In the matter of economic co-operation with the UAE and other countries, we have got some common projects, and particularly there is a sea-change in our relationship with Iran. And I must say this is one of the very important areas where there are some positive results. Very recently, we had the visit of the Iranian Prime Minister, Mr. Hoveyda. And to quote him, sky is the limit for co-operation between India and Iran. This is how others are looking at it. This feeling is based on the mutuality of interests and confidence. On the basic issue of the Arab nations we have stood by them and we will continue to stand by them. The lands forcibly occupied by the Israelis must be vacated and, the national rights of Palestine people must be restored to them and this is the basic approach on which we are absolutely firm and we shall continue to be firm and make our own constructive, positive contribution in this particular area.
The events in Lebanon have saddened us and we can only hope that peace and harmony will return to that beautiful country. This is a thing that keeps us worrying. Well, I do not want to go more into that, the area of West Asia, is of most vital interest to us and we certainly will continue to work for cooperation in this area. Whether they vote for us in one particular election or not is not the ultimate test in this manner. Somebody just mentioned about the election, but I can say that even in that context, a large number of Arab countries voted for us. I would like to make my point clear because it would be rather misleading otherwise.
