Indians Seek To Break Tie

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30497, 20 July 1964, Page 12

Indians Seek To Break Tie

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright) LONDON, July 19. Those in India who resent India’s link with the Commonwealth have this week revived the movement for a withdrawal from the association with renewed vigour. The demand for severing the link may be stronger than it was before Indian independence, says the New Delhi correspondent of the “Sunday Times.”

The executive committee of the Congress Tarty in Parliament is meeting next Wednesday to consider the communique issued after the Commonwealth conference and the party’s secretary, Raghunath Singh, intends to suggest that India leaves the Commonwealth. Leaders of the two main opposition parties—the Communists and the Socialists — have also publicly announced their intention this week to urge withdrawal. It was known that after Mr Nehru’s death this demand would be raised but it was not expected so soon. Weak Sentiment Public sentiment in favour of continuing in the Commonwealth has always been weak. The main argument for leaving is that India stands to gain nothing from association with a group of countries which has shown a persistent bias for Pakistan.

A feeling that India is regarded only as a poor relation in the Commonwealth is fairly widespread among educated Indians.

A cable message from New Delhi say that Saradar Swaran Singh, at present Industries and Commerce Minister, was yesterday appointment Minister for External Affairs in a minor reshuffle Of Mr Shastri’s Cabinet.

The post has been held by Mr Shastri. Mr H. C. Dasappa, the Minister of Irrigation and Power, will succeed Sadara Singh as Minister of Industry and Supply.

The reshuffle gives India her first full-time Foreign Minister. The late Prime Minister, Mr Nehru, always held the post

12 Years In Cabinet Described as shrewd, suave and mild-mannered, 57-year-old Swaran Singh, a former lawyer, joined the Cabinet in 1952 as Minister for Works, Housing and Supply. He has since held the portfolios of Steel, Mines and

Fuel, Railways, and Food and Agriculture. Earlier this year he led the Indian delegation to the preparatory meeting for the second Afro-Asian conference at Djakarta. He headed India’s delegation at the Indo-Pakistan ministers’ talks on Kashmir last year.