This conference, in our opinion, constitutes an extremely important initiative in the present conjecture of the international situation. There is a need not only for cooperation and friendly relations between our countries and political parties but, importantly, for a unified approach and action on issues where there is a convergence of interests in our region. In this context the main themes chosen for discussion here are extremely relevant and important.

In the post Cold War situation the natural tendency in the international situation is the movement towards multi-polarity replacing bi-polarity. This natural tendency is however sought to be subverted towards unipolarity by forces that seek hegemonies. This is a trend that all of us must resist and permit the realization of a multi polar world.

Given this reality, the cooperation amongst us in Asian is of vital importance in realizing this objective. The security scenario — when security is considered as a multi-dimensional concept embracing the strategic,military, energy, economic and development aspect which impinge on national sovereignty — in Asia covering the vast region from West Asia, South Asia, former Soviet republics of Central Asia and South East Asia including Japan has undergone a major transformation in the post Cold War world.

In this context the cooperation amongst countries in South Asia — SAARC — assumes importance. India-Pakistan relations are paramount. Both these countries have demonstrated their nuclear capabilities. The CPI(M) however is of the firm opinion that both the countries must desist from deploying nuclear weapons. This is the essential precondition to defuse escalation of tensions and work for good neighborly relations. The CPI(M) is firmly committed to carrying forward the process of improving Indo-Pak relations.

The other important area — even in the framework of global considerations — is the improvement of relations between India and China. Despite conflicts and tensions, both these countries have together contributed to the lexicon of international relations the concept of five principles of cooperation in international relations — we in India call this the Panchasheel. These we believe today continue to constitute a firm basis for relations between neighbours and countries across the globe. The CPI(M) is committed to strengthen this basis and is working for a better and deeper levels of friendship and relations between India and China.

There are issues on which all of us must work together, as we should on the vacation of foreign military bases in our region, to ensure that we as a region will work for the establishment of a multi-polarity in today’s world as opposed to a unipolarity that is sought to be imposed.

These security concerns are paramount to the peoples of our countries as their resolution is the only basis that shall release resources for our economic development. Huge resources are today being diverted away to meet these perceived security concerns from providing the basis requirements for our peoples, who are amongst the poorest and most deprived in the world. All of this requires of us to concentrate our common energies in working for a solution of these conflicts that continue to consume our energies and resources, and prevent us from working for the emancipation of the billions of people that constitute Asia today.

Finally, this requires a political will amongst all of us to together protect our interests in the globalised world. The new economic treaties like the WTO and bilateral agreements must recognize and respect the economic sovereignty of all our countries. We shall have to work together to ensure that these rights are recognized to begin with, respected and guaranteed. While we work for a balanced sustainable development programmes in our own countries, based on our respective realities, we owe it to our own people that we mount a collective effort to retain our economic sovereignty. The necessary political initiatives for this must be undertaken by all of us.

In conclusions, I would like to express my confidence that in the final analysis we all committed to improving the living conditions of the peoples in our respective countries. Needless to state if we do not then our own people will reject us as their representatives politically.

With the hope that each one of us, with firm commitment to our convictions will advance the interests of our peoples in meeting the challenges of today’s world, I once again record the CPI(M), deepest sense of appreciation for this initiative.