INDIA MAY JOIN ASIAN PACT

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27402, 15 July 1954, Page 15

INDIA MAY JOIN ASIAN PACT

Locarno-Type Treaty Favoured (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) NEW DELHI, July 13. India would be prepared to join an “Asian Locarno Pact” to protect States in the northern areas of South-east Asia, it was reliably learned today. According to informed sources, two pacts are under discussion by the Western Powers and India is being kept in close touch with developments. First is a Locarno-type pact which would take in the northern areas of South-east Asia, including Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Second is a South-east Asian Treaty Organisation of southern States, including Malaya and the Philippines. India would join the Locarno-type pact, but opposed the S.E.A.T.O. as a power bloc alliance, the sources said. India’s conception of a Locarno pact does not allow for commitments of a military nature which might involve her in any armed conflict. , The Indian Prime Minister (Mr Nehru) said that the faiuure to admit Communist China to the United Nations was a “serious blunder” and “shutting one’s eyes to reality.” In a speech to a big public meeting at Mirzapur, United Provinces, last night, Mr Nehru said the root cause of international troubles in the last four years had been the failure to admit Communist China to the United Nations.