I find two very interesting criticisms coming from two different Members of the opposition. Shri Mavalankar told us not to insist on rigid reciprocity, if I am quoting him correctly. If in relationships between two countries reciprocity is not to be maintained, what is to be taken care of? If reciprocity is considered rigidity, the only thing is surrender.
.... That is one thing. On the other side my hon. friend Scindiaji said : do not go by the ping pong diplomacy .... (Interruptions). The word used was -- ping pong diplomacy. You said : let it be there; but not be the ball but be a bat. That is what he said. This word ‘ping pong diplomacy’ in connection with India has no meaning. It might have had some significance in relation to the United States because they had no other communication with China, they had no diplomatic relations; they had no embassy in peking nor had China and embassy in Washington in the United States. They had to depend upon some types of diplomacy... (Interruption).
Shri Madhvrao Scindia : Surely, you have not taken it literally. I do not mean that you go and play ping pong with Mao Tse Tung. That is just an expression.
Shri. Y B. Chavan : In this particular matter, we have to judge the facts. Our basic attitudes are clear. we certainly Would like to see what their attitude is going to be and respond to it in the proper manner when we get proper indications. That is what I wanted to say.
In the case of West European countries, I should like to say that our relations with those countries are good. Their economic cooperation is very important for us and I think our relations will continue to develop in the proper way in the years to come. The most important change that has happened in western Europe is the change in Portugal. After nearly four decades of fascist regime, democracy had asserted itself and it has not only liberated forces of democracy in Portugal but it has also liberated the forces in Africa, Angola and Mozambique. There are very important changes taking places not only in the former Portuguese colonies, but some optimistic signs of liberation and progressive forces making further progress are seen in some other countries in South Africa as well as in Zimbabwe and Namibia. In this region, the local statesmen like President Nyerere and President Kaunda are taking a lead in constructive statementship.