Indo-Soviet Joint
Statement at the conclusion of Prime Minister Indira
Gandhi's
visit to U.S.S.R.
At the invitation of the Government of the
The Head of the Government of friendly
During her stay in
At a solemn meeting of Indo-Soviet Friendship, the Soviet
public warmly greeted the Head of the Indian Government. The Lomonosov State University of Moscow conferred on Shrimati Indira Gandhi the Degree
of Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa.
The Prime Minister of India, Shrimati
Indira Gandhi, had talks and discussions with the
General-Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet
Union, L.I. Brezhnev, the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R., N. V.
Podgorny and the Chairman of the Council of
Ministers, A. N. Kosygin.
Taking part in the talks were:
On the Soviet side : N. S. Patolichev,
S. A. Skachkov, V. V. Kuznetzov,
N. P. Firyubin, N. M. Pegov
and A. A. Fomin.
On the Indian side: D. P. Dhar, T. N. Kaul, K. S. Shelvankar, R. D. Sathe, K. P. S. Menon, A. P. Venkateswaran, A. K. Damodaran,
K. K. Bhargava, S. V. Purushottam
and M.M. Malhoutra.
The talks, which were held in an atmosphere of cordiality and
mutual understanding, covered a wide range of subjects of Soviet-Indian bilateral relations as well as
important current international problems of mutual interest.
Both sides expressed their profound satisfaction at the
successful development of relations of friendship and fruitful co-operation
between the
They declared their conviction that this co-operation acquires
still more firm political and legal basis in the Treaty of Peace, Friendship
and Co-operation between the U.S.S.R. and
The two sides fully agreed that the conclusion of the Treaty
is an event of outstanding and historic importance for both countries, and has
further strengthened the relations of sincere friendship, respect, mutual
confidence and goodneighbourly co-operation existing
between the
Both sides declared their firm determination to be guided by
the letter and spirit of the Treaty in regard to the further development of
Soviet-Indian relations.
They noted with satisfaction the successful development of
mutually beneficial economic and technical co-operation between the two
countries and emphasised the fact that there are favourable prospects for the further expansion and
deepening of such co-operation, particularly in the fields of iron and steel
industry, including special steel alloys and non-ferrous metallurgy, survey,
exploration and refining of oil and natural gas and in the field of petro-chemical industry.
The two sides expressed satisfaction at the recent steps taken
by them to identify new forms of mutual co-operation in the economic and
technical fields including such spheres as space research, utilisation
of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, productive co-operation between
industrial enterprises of both countries, etc. They consider it necessary to
identify additional new fields in which such mutual co-operation could be
expanded.
In this connection, agreement was reached that experts of both
countries would meet and work out specific proposals on the above-mentioned
questions.
The two sides decided to set up an Inter-Governmental Commission on economic, scientific and
technical co-operation.
Both sides recognised the need, in
accordance with the Treaty. ;o contracts and ties at
different levels, to enlarge and to make more comprehensive . z the exchange of views between the Governments of the
U.S.S.R and
They expressed their satisfaction at the fact that the Treaty
has met with the full and unreserved support of the peoples of the
The Soviet side expressed its respect for
The Indian side expressed its respect for the
The exchange of views on current international problems
revealed identity or proximity of the stands of the U.S.S.R. and
The two sides paid primary attention to the development of the
situation in
The two sides expressed their concern over the grave situation
which has arisen on the Indian sub-continent as a result of the recent events
in East Bengal and declared their determination to continue efforts aimed at
the preservation of peace in that region.
The Prime Minister of India informed the Soviet side that the
presence in
The Soviet side highly appreciated India's humane approach to
the problems created by the influx of these refugees from East Bengal and
expressed its understanding of the difficulties confronting friendly India in
connection with the mass inflow of refugees.
The Soviet side took into account the statement by the Prime
Minister that the Government of India is fully determined to take all necessary
measures to stop the inflow of refugees from
The Soviet side reaffirmed its position regarding the problem
of refugees and other questions which have arisen as a result of the events in
Taking note of the developments in East Bengal since 25th
March, 1971, both sides consider that the interests of the preservation of
peace demand that urgent measures should be taken to reach a political solution
of the problems which have arisen there paying regard to the wishes, the
inalienable rights and lawful interests of the people of East Bengal as well as
for the speediest and safe return of the refugees to their homeland in
conditions safeguarding their honour and dignity.
Taking into account the seriousness of the situation which has
developed in the Indian sub-continent, the two sides agreed to maintain further
mutual contacts and to continue to exchange views on the questions arising in
this connection.
The two sides expressed their profound concern over the
situation in South-East Asia and pronounced themselves in favour
of the necessity to withdraw all foreign troops from Indo-China in order to
ensure peace and security for the peoples of that region, the realisation of their legitimate rights to shape their own
future in accordance with their national interests and without any foreign
interference.
They welcomed the recent 7-point proposal by the Provisional
Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam as an important step towards the
creation of basis for a peaceful political settlement and declared their
support for these proposals.
The two sides expressed their serious concern over the tense
situation in the
Desirious of contributing to the improvement of
the international situation, the Government of India highly appreciates the
proposal to convene an All European Conference on the
questions of security and co-operation as an important step aimed at the
relaxation of tensions not only on the European continent but throughout the
world.
Both sides believe that the cessation of the arms race and the
achievement of general and complete disarmament, covering both nuclear and
conventional types of weapons, under strict and effective international
control, are of primary importance for the preservation and strengthening of
peace and security. In the opinion of the two sides, the covening
of a World Disarmament Conference with the participation of all countries for
achieving practicable and generally acceptable ways for solving pressing
disarmament problems could be of great importance. The two sides consider it
important to achieve in the near future an agreement on the prohibition of the
development, production and stockpiling of biological weapons and toxins and on
their destruction, as the first step on the way to the complete prohibition of
chemical and biological methods of warfare.
The Prime Minister of India reaffirmed that the
The
The two sides reaffirmed their adherence to the principles of
peaceful co-existence among States with different social systems and
pronounced themselves in favour of all questions at
issue in relations between countries being solved by peaceful means.
The
Both sides expressed their confidence that the visit of the
Prime Minister of India to the
The Prime Minister of India extended a cordial imitation to
the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the C.P.S.U., L.I. Brezhnev,
and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R., A. N. Kosygin, to
visit
Source: