Q.
One of the important aims of Indian foreign policy is creating a zone of peace in Indian Ocean. What are your views on increasing presence of outside powers in Indian Ocean?
A
Our commitment to the implementation of the U. N. Resolution of 1971 declaring Indian Ocean as a zone of peace is well-known. We have in various forums, national and international, expressed our growing concern at the escalation of foreign military presence in the region against the express will of the people of littoral and hinterland States. We have thus tried to mobilise the world public opinion in favour of elimination of foreign military presence. We do not believe in the so-called vacuum theory or in self-appointed international gendarmes. The littoral and hinterland States of the Indian Ocean arc quite capable of guaranteeing the security of sea-lanes and of international commerce as well as the freedom of the high seas. Bases like Diego Garcia are not necessary for these purposes but are meant to further the global strategy of the super power concerned.
Foreign military bases in our part of the world appear to us as a prolongation of colonialism, as if we were still in the era of western dominance. A quarter of a century after the resurgence of Asia and Africa became an established and accepted reality, it is amusing how some countries, instead of writing new chapters on international co-operation based on mutual respect, go on referring to the dusty, moth-eaten pages, irreversibly turned over by the march of history.
Indo-Yugoslav Relations
Q.
At the end. We would like to hear your opinion on relation between Yugoslavia and India. Our two countries are co-operating in many fields: political, economic, educational and cultural. Do you believe that the existing co-operation between Yugoslavia and India can be broadened, and what fields of co-operation you believe are the most important?
A.
Taking the latter point first, it is difficult to say which is the most important area of
co-operation between two such intimately friendly countries like India and Yugoslavia. Our relations, as you are well aware, have been developing and flourishing in many spheres and the search for exploring new avenues and exploiting fresh pastures is constantly on. New areas of co-operation are being identified keeping in view the rapid and impressive industrial, scientific and technological advances taking place in India and Yugoslavia.
The impetus for forging a closer relationship was first provided by the close identity in the way in which India and Yugoslavia looked upon the world. Their unfailing faith in non-alignment provided a sane alternative to the fierce rivalry of great power blocs, and made the growth of understanding and close relationship between them inevitable. It also established between India and Yugoslavia a mutuality of interest whose manifestation is seen in the growing economic, cultural, scientific and technological ties between our two countries.
There is enormous potential for the further growth of such co-operation which, as I said earlier, is encompassing more and more areas of economic activity and human endeavour. Both sides have an abiding interest in ensuring that this multifaceted co-operation and relationship is further strengthened and it is my hope that the two countries of the world continue to make the necessary physical and intellectual inputs towards this end to their mutual benefit and in the interest of peace and international understanding.