Principle of Consensus
India's role at the Colombo summit was welcomed as constructive and effective. Our main accent was on the importance of preserving the unity and cohesion of the movement. We stressed the need to give greater credibility to the decisions and resolutions adopted at the summit by adequate emphasis on their implementation. There was a clear realisation of the need to adhere to the principle of consensus. India greatly cherishes the principle of consensus as vital to the continued solidarity of non-aligned countries, and it was in this spirit that we agreed to the participation of some countries. At the same time, it did not mean any departure from the criteria for participation, the continuing validity of which was reiterated. For members and observers it was unanimously agreed that the criteria which were laid down at the first summit in 1961, be strictly adhered to.
The political declaration adopted at the Colombo summit covers a comprehensive range of international issues. Although discussions in the formulation of the Declaration were marked by a considerable degree of frankness and candour, the common realisation that non-aligned solidarity is crucial paved the way towards agreed formulations even on controversial problems. The display of a broad consensus on the large number and variety of issues contained in the political declaration was impressive.
Many of the ideas and suggestions proposed by the Indian delegation have been incorporated in the final document. We had been keen that the political declaration should emphasis in the correct perspective the essential character, basic principles and purposes of the non-aligned movement. Secondly, as the first summit being held on the continent of Asia the political declaration should recognize Asia's role and contribution in the evolution of the non-alignment movement. These ideals find a place in the final document.
Among the other issues of particular interest for us was disarmament. The Colombo summit calls for the convening of a special session of the U.N. General Assembly devoted exclusively to the problems of disarmament not later than 1978. This would not be a substitute for the world disarmament conference but would consider, inter alia, effective measures and steps necessary for convening it.