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India and Yugoslavia: Similarity of views
It is a matter of great satisfaction and encouragement to us that Indo-Yugoslav relations have been characterised by close friendship and understanding between the top leaders of our two countries. Regular and frequent exchanges of our visits between the leaders of our two countries has been a positive and noteworthy feature of Indo-Yugoslav relations. Such visits have played a significant role in the growth of the traditional friendly relations between India and Yugoslavia.
India and Yugoslavia have a long tradition of consulting each other on major international issues, particularly on the eve of important non-aligned meetings.
It is a matter of great satisfaction to us that there has been a steady expansion and consolidation over the years of the mutually beneficial relations between India and Yugoslavia in all fields - political, economic, scientific, technological and cultural. The recently concluded 10th session of the Indo-Yugoslav Joint Committee on Economic
Co-operation provided an opportunity for reviewing the state of our bilateral economic relations and identified new areas and forms of co-operation in the field of trade, industry, co-operation in third countries, shipping and so on.
Identity of Views
India and Yugoslavia have a close similarity or identity of views, springing from their shared belief in the principles of nonalignment on various world issues, both political and economic. This forms a concrete foundation for our long-standing friendship. It is in pursuit of these principles that our two countries have consistently worked for the development of a new world based on equality among nations, non-interference and co-operation for the benefit of the vast underprivileged mass of humanity. These aims and principles have stood the test of time and have made a significant contribution to the lessening of world tensions and promoting co-operation among peoples.
India has followed with keen interest the moves in Europe towards greater peace and security. We welcomed the successful conclusion of the Helsinki conference which has opened up prospects for the consolidation of peace in Europe and for more fruitful co-operation among European nations. However, detente in Europe has made little difference to conflicts in other parts of the world. Asia has not yet been able to transcend the period of suspicion and hostility. Peace and stability of nations in this continent are still under torment.
In our region, it has been India's consistent and principled policy to work for creating a durable structure of peace and co-operation based on mutual trust and equality. In recent months, we have concluded a number of agreements with our neighbouring countries in a sincere effort to settle outstanding problems and enlarge areas of co-operation in economic and other fields. It is our belief that such measures would create an atmosphere that will pave the way for mutual co-operation and stability which is vital for the economic advancement of the nations of this region.