The Simla Agreement, however, provides practical and realistic basis for overcoming all impediments to friendly and co-operative relations between India and Pakistan. The implementation of that agreement has already resulted in a large measure of normalisation of relations in several, fields. It is our intention to persist in this process because we believe that it can lead to stability and durable peace in the subcontinent.
With Bangladesh we wish to develop, on a basis of equality, close and friendly relations to our mutual benefit. Unfortunately, Bangladesh has chosen to bring before this General Assembly certain misconceived allegations concerning the equitable sharing of the waters of the river Ganga during the lean period of the dry season every year. We expressed our views on this issue when the question of the inscription of the item came up before the General Assembly. I should like to take this opportunity to reiterate our firm belief that the discussion of this question in the United Nations will only serve to complicate the situation and come in the way of bilateral negotiations.
Square Deal for Developing Countries
I should like to turn now to the struggle in the United Nations for a square deal for developing countries — a struggle that has already entered its second decade with no promise or even hope of an early solution. The grievances and expectations of developing countries have been clearly set out in previous sessions of the General Assembly and in various other conferences.
But we still seem to be convening one conference after another for no ostensible reason other than to repeat and re-affirm earlier resolutions. Developing countries find themselves in a state of political independence but in an economic environment over which they have little control and which they have inherited through historical circumstances. They are in the grip of forces manipulated by developed countries largely for their own benefit. Such a situation is likely to lead to permanent impoverishment of developing countries, while developed countries continue to prosper at the expense of others. This state of affairs is both immoral and intolerable. Decisions already taken and measures agreed at earlier Conferences should be speedily implemented through constructive negotiations.
