India Foreign Policy - ८०

“Children of Revolution”

And yet all the success which the non-aligned countries, supported by socialist and progressive countries, have achieved needs to be consolidated in the face of serious challenges from those who would like to see non-aligned and progressive forces weakened and divided. The need for forging unity and solidarity was never as imperative as it is today. We have to face the provocations of the forces of disruption trying to under­mine the unity and stability of the newly-independent coun­tries of the developing world which have taken to the path of democracy, secularism and socialism. We are the "children of revolution", as Jawaharlal Nehru often used to say. It is for us to be united at this crucial juncture in thwarting the attempts of those who would only be too glad to obstruct our march towards orderly progress, stability and much-needed development, to overcome as quickly as possible the economic, technological and intellectual consequences of long years of colonialism.

Mighty forces have been at work in the great continents of Asia, Africa and Latin America. They have moved millions of people and have created in their minds urges and passions for a change in their conditions.

The freedom movement in India from its inception main­tained close ties with the independence movements in ail the countries of Asia and Africa. Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru focused attention on and struggled for the cause of Indian independence. They also spoke for the people of Asia and Africa. The Bandung Conference of Asian and African countries herald­ed the emergence of a new Asia and Africa, of newly-liberated nations, marching towards fulfillment of their independence and conscious of their role in world affairs. This did not mean the creation of a new power bloc. The contribution made to the pro­cess of liquidating the remaining vestiges of colonial rule and of enlarging the areas of peace, understanding and co-operation throughout the world by countries of Africa and Asia has de­monstrated the capacities of the new nations of Asia and Africa for practical idealism and constructive vision.