INDIA FOREIGN POLICY

Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy

The rest of the world cannot remain insensitive to this pros­pect. It seems unlikely that there will be significant progress in social reform and economic development in developing coun­tries as long as world military expenditure continues to grow at the present rate. We have been among the foremost to pro­pose a variety of disarmament measures since 1950 but it is regrettable that little progress has been made. The need for the world disarmament conference has become increasingly urgent. It might be useful by way of preparation to have a special session of the General Assembly to be devoted exclusively to disarma­ment. If we can have world conferences on space, atomic energy, environment, human settlements, trade and development, and so on, there is even greater reason and greater urgency for orga­nising a world conference on disarmament.

Several speakers have referred to the problem of the non­-proliferation of nuclear weapons. India has consistently support­ed efforts in the direction of achieving nuclear disarmament. We are surprised that attempts are continuously being made to con­fuse the question of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons with the legitimate right of all member-States to engage themselves in programmes involving peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We reject the thesis that access to the benefits of nuclear energy should be limited only to a few nations, or that only some countries can be trusted to behave in a responsible manner in embarking upon and implementing programmes in the area of the peaceful uses of the nuclear energy.

Non-use of Force

The initiative of the USSR in proposing a treaty on non-use of force in international relations is a positive step and deserves the most careful consideration by the General Assembly. It is in fact an attempt to elaborate the principle already enshrined in Article 2 pars 4 of the Charter that all members shall refrain from the threat or use of force in their international relations.

Another initiative of the USSR, which is of direct interest to us, is the statement made by the Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union the other day that his country has "No intention of building any military bases in the Indian Ocean area and that it is prepared, together with other Powers, to seek ways of reduc­ing on a reciprocal basis the military activities of non-coastal States in the Zone of the Indian Ocean."