In regard to Nepal, a country with which we have close and traditional ties of friendship, we are hopeful that a healthy relationship can be built up on the basis of mutual respect and a frank recognition by each country of the other’s sensitives. For our part, we have always done our best to respect Nepalese interest and wishes on a number of issues. We cherish our friendship with Nepal, but this relationship must depend for its growth and sustenance on common observance by both the countries of the elements of reciprocity, mutual benefit, mutual respect and non- intervention in each other’s internal affairs. This is as far as Nepal is concerned. Sir, the other areas are the areas of West Asia.

..... I had briefly touched upon the dangers of the situation in West Asia. Our attitude to the Arab Israeli problem is well-known. We have consistently supported the principle of denying the aggressor the fruits of his aggression and recognising the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Just peace in West Asia can be secured only on the basis of these principles. The Arab world, by and large, recognises that our support to them over to years has been based on principles and not on expediency. In turn, this has facilitated Indo-Arab co-operation in many fields to our mutual benefit. We have always supported the Palestinian cause and have accepted the Palestinian Liberation Organisation as the legitimate representative of the people of Palestine in their just cause. When the PLO recently asked for permission to open an office in Delhi, we readily agreed to that request. The office has started functioning already.

In this connection, I may also refer to the closer relations that we have been able to develop with the Gulf countries. This is a very important part of our neighbourhood. Several high level visits have been exchanged as a result of which fresh avenues of bilateral co-operation have been identified or developed. Saudi Arabia, under the late King Feisal, has played a dynamic role in West Asia and his tragic death has grieved us deeply. In the past few months, we were able to widen the areas of understanding and co-operation with that country. We look forward to developing this further.