Promotion of Understanding
In pursuit of these objectives, we have made sustained and determined efforts to promote better understanding with other nations and build up good neighbourly relations with countries in South Asia. Our relations with most of the neighbouring countries are stronger today. We have made progress in improving relations with those countries with which we had difficulties in the past. We have successfully restored air, rail and communications with Pakistan and re-established diplomatic missions in each other's capitals. For the first time in a decade, there is now a prospect for normal people-to-people exchanges. We are prepared to consider other measures to develop further our relations with Pakistan. This improvement, though rather halting, would not have been possible but for new approach of bilateralism, symbolised by the Simla Agreement and its corollary that problems between neighbours can be best settled through peaceful bilateral discussions and not through confrontation; propaganda or outside intervention.
Our relations with China have also shown improvement and in recent months the two countries have upgraded the relations to the ambassadorial level. This, too, is part of our policy of good neighbourly relations. We believe that large countries like India and China cannot afford to ignore each other for long or maintain a posture of hostility. Their common interest, as that of other nations, lies in promoting peaceful co-existence and friendly co-operation in Asia.
With other neighbouring countries of Asia also, we have developed fruitful relationship. We have rendered our contribution to economic growth of some of these nations in the form of financing of development projects, technical assistance and transfer of technology. In the last two years or so, the Indian technical co-operation programme provided training facilities to over 50 developing countries by deputing experts and receiving trainees in various fields.
Geographically and even historically, India has been the nerve centre of Asia. It is only natural therefore that India should have traditional ties of friendship with different sub-regions of Asia.
As regards West Asia, we have always consistently supported the Arab cause because we are convinced that there can be no peace in that area unless Israel withdraws from occupied Arab territories and the national rights of the Palestinian people are restored. We have also developed strong economic and trade links with many countries in West Asia notably Iran, Iraq and the Gulf states. We believe that this growing economic co‑operation between India and the countries of West Asia will be a major step forward in forging collective self-reliance of the developing countries.
In South East Asia, the emergence of a unified Vietnam is a development off historic significance. We regard united, socialist Vietnam pursuing a policy of non-alignment as an important factor for peace, stability and progress in Asia. We are also making sincere effort to promote greater economic co-operation with ASEAN countries.