Significance of Havana
As a founder-member, India continues to render important and useful service to the cause of non-alignment, as in the past conferences. The chairmanship of one of the main committees was entrusted to India. We were happy to receive full co-operation and understanding from other members in the consideration of several important issues.
In the economic committee, in particular, our views received a positive response from others as was reflected in the Economic Declaration — especially points relating to the most seriously affected countries.
The holding of the meeting in Havana was an event of special significance for Cuba, which is seeking to reinforce its links not only with Latin America but also with the non-aligned and developing world in general. It is important to remember that the growth and evolution of the non-aligned movement has been marked by a series of meetings since 1961. In between the summit conference, non-aligned countries have been meeting at the level of foreign ministers, and have also held co-ordinating meetings at other levels. All these meetings have made important contributions to the development of the solidarity and unity of non-aligned countries. The Havana meeting was a significant stage in this continuing process. The decisions reached at the Havana meeting will undoubtedly provide a valuable basis for these forthcoming conferences of the non-aligned and contribute to the further consolidation of the sovereignty and independence of all non-aligned countries and the building of a new world order based on peace, equality, justice and progress for all mankind.
