INDIA TO BECOME REPUBLIC: TO STAY OUT OF BLOCS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22890, 9 March 1949, Page 7

INDIA TO BECOME REPUBLIC: TO STAY OUT OF BLOCS

(N.Z.P.A. —Reuter—Copyright.) (10 a.m.) NEW DELHI, Mar. 8. The Prime Minister of India, Mr. Nehru, told Parliament in a debate on foreign affairs today that India would become an independent republic within a few months of adopting her new constitution and intended to remain aloof from any blocs so that she could be the meeting place for East and West.

“The supreme question is how we can avoid a world war,” he said. “Regarding war as inevitable is dangerous thinking. India s policy is not to line up with any group or groups but to fit herself to play her part effectively in the avoidance of war.

“India will become a meeting ground for East and West and various trends of thought. In our external policy as well as in our international economic policies, we do not accept anything which may in the slightest degree mean dependence on any outside authority. “Subject to this we are prepared to associate with other countries in a friendly wav within the framework of the United Nations.

“India will not commit herself to any military alliances, but will bind herself for the purposes of consultation and co-operation. Only our stake in world peace is racial equality and freedom from colonial subjugation.

“We will not interfere with other people and will resist interference with our own. India will not become part of the world manoeuvring for a future war.”