Peaceful Co-existence
Many newly-independent nations of the world, including my own, repudiated the concept of the "cold war" and chose the path of non-alignment and peaceful co-existence. Today, there is widespread understanding and acceptance of the policy of non-alignment and its relevance and importance. In the United Nations, the non-aligned countries have consistently worked to democratise international relations and to move from confrontation and deadlock into new fields of co-operative endeavour. The Foreign Ministers of the non-aligned countries meeting in Lima last month pledged themselves afresh to continue their efforts for achieving a new world order based on justice and equality.
This maintenance of peace must be our first objective and problems related to this question must continue to occupy our minds with a sense of urgency. Peace reigns today in Indo-China after many years of war and this is indeed, a matter of great satisfaction for all of us. However, the legacy of the past seems to cloud the vision of some. The rejection by the Security Council of the requests of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of South Vietnam to join the United Nations adds to the sorry record of United Nations inertia on Vietnam. There is no doubt about their eligibility for admission; we should welcome them to this organisation, which will benefit from their co-operation. The international community should do all it can to heal the wounds of war and assist in the reconstruction of the shattered economies of the countries of Indo-China. India is willing and prepared to make its contribution to this effort.
The situation in west Asia remains critical. There can be no enduring peace in the region until Israel vacates all the Arab territories occupied by aggression and the national rights of the Arab people of Palestine are restored. Meanwhile, an agreement has been reached between Egypt and Israel for a limited further Israeli withdrawal from the Sinai. This will be an important and positive development, provided it contributes to the reduction of tensions in that area and leads to the speedy resolution of the basic problems.
It is the clear duty of the United Nations, in conformity with the provisions of the Charter, and the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, to explore all avenues open to it for securing the removal of the Israeli presence from Arab territories. It is also our duty to continue our efforts to restore to the Palestinian people their national rights.
We firmly believe that the unity of the Arab countries, together with the continued supporting action of the international community, would enable them to regain their lost territories and secure the restoration of the rights of the Palestinian people.
