Foreign policy needs review : PM
AMBALA, DEC. 24.–The Prime Minister said here today that India would have to review the entire gamut of its international relationship in view of the developments during and after the recent India-Pakistan conflict, report agencies.
The Prime Minister warned foreign powers against interference in India’s affairs and said that the nation would never tolerate.
Addressing a mammoth public meeting here during her first visit to Haryana after the 14-day war. Mrs. Gandhi said : “Some foreign powers have been interfering in our affairs. But times have changed now. We will not tolerate any interference.”
The Prime Minister asked the people to remain prepared to face all eventualities as she did not know if “the peace prevailing now was the real peace or just a breathing time.”
“One war has just ended but I do not know if peace has come. The country has to be vigilant,” she said.
The Prime Minister said that with “India’s spectacular victory” in the recent conflict, the dangers facing the country had not ended, and she had no doubt the people would live with courage, fight with courage and if need be, die with courage”.
Mrs. Gandhi said that difficult days are not over. “If war breaks out again, we will have to be prepared for it. If there is no war, there may be other difficulties”, she said.
Victory, Mrs. Gandhi said, caused jealousy in some quarters” and therefore, there were many dangers-armed and otherwise_ahead.
The outcome of the recent conflict, Mrs. Gandhi said, “h upset the calculations of some lad Big Powers. The world picture has changed now”.
The Prime Minister declared that threats to withhold foreign assistance would not have any effect on this country. No power on earth could deviate India from its chosen path or peace and democracy, she declared.
India, did not want war, but “if other countries think they can threaten us, pressurise us and harm us because we are peaceloving, we are not going to tolerate that”, she added..
Some countries, Mrs. Gandhi said, talked of their support for democracy, but when the time came, they forgot what they had been saying although.
India, Mrs. Gandhi said, had won a “big and spectacular” victory, but it was not a complete victory as it was only one milestone in nations history. “We have to march forward on our chosen path irrespective of all obstacles “ she added.
The Prime Minister also declared that no country however, strong its ties of friendship with India,” could-in-fluence our decisions. We will decide for ourselves what is in our interest”, she added.
It was wrong to suggest that the treaty of friendship with the Soviet Union represented a change in India’s foreign policy. “We never said that we did not want friendship with others. In fact, we want friendship with all.” she added.
“If a country gives us some assistance out of friendship, we will take it, but our policy of reducing dependence on foreign aid will continue”, she added.
Mrs. Gandhi said steps have to be taken to eliminate poverty and unemployment, but we have to strengthen our defence efforts also.
Mrs. Gandhi said that the Mukti Bahini, composed of teenagers as well as older people, had the courage to fight almost without arms because they were fighting for their rights and their freedom. Similarly, India had fought for principles and won.
The Prime Minister said: “We want the world to understand us, but we will have to understand ourselves. We will have to stand on our feet. We are not afraid of anyone, nor do we threaten others. But people should remain united to face all challenges.”
The Prime Minister said that the people should make this country so strong that no one had the courage to attack her.
Two hundred-seventy kg of silver-representing five times the weight of The Prime Minister—was today presented to Mrs. Gandhi on behalf of the people of Ambala District for the National Defence Fund. The presentation was made by the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Bansi Lal at a public meeting here.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 25. 12. 1971