People's Democracy

‘Make 21st Century An Asian Century’

Yechury At the Fourth Conference of ICAPP

The following is the text of the speech delivered by CPI(M) Polit Bureau member and MP Sitaram Yechury on behalf of the Party at the Fourth International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) held at Seoul, South Korea on September 9, 2006. A total of 90 political parties from 36 countries -- from as far as Cyprus and Russia to Australia and New Zealand -- participated in the conference which was held during September 6-10, 2006.

AT the outset, on behalf of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) please accept our greetings and gratitude for being invited to this important conference.

This conference, in our opinion, constitutes the continuation of an extremely significant initiative of solidarity amongst Asian political parties in the present conjuncture 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 in this conference are extremely relevant and important.

Before expressing on these themes, a few words regarding my Party. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is the largest Left party in India with a membership of nearly one million, the mass organisations led by us – trade unions, peasant organisations, students, youth, women etc – have a membership of over 40 million. These may sound impressive but remember that India is a country of over a billion people! Presently CPI(M) has 44 members of parliament in the lower, i. e. House of the Peoples and 14 in the upper, i.e. the Council of States. The Left together have 61 members of the lower house. This number is presently crucial in sustaining the present government of India. The Left is supporting from the outside the present Indian National Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government. The Indian government today is in office on the basis of this support of the Left which in turn is based on a Common Minimum Programme adopted by the government and broadly endorsed by the Left.

As most of you know, there is a Left Front government led by CPI(M) in the state of West Bengal for nearly three decades. We have recently (May 2006) won the elections for a record seventh term with an increased (3/4th) majority. The CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front has regained the government in the state of Kerala this year. Along with CPI(M)-led Left Front government in the state of Tripura, we, today have three state governments in India.

I now turn to the themes chosen for discussion at this conference. Regional security and Political stability in the Asian region is of crucial relevance and significance for the world today.

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 uni-polarity by forces that seek hegemonism. The aggression against and the military occupation of Iraq, the threats to replicate the same against Iran and the aid and support to the brazen Israeli aggression in West Asia, particularly the recent war on Lebanon aimed at denying Palestinians their fundamental right to a homeland are manifestations of such subversion. This is a trend that all of us must resist and work assiduously for the realisation of a multi-polar world.

Given this reality, the cooperation amongst us in Asia is of vital importance in realising this objective. The security scenario – when security is considered as a multi-dimensional concept embracing the strategic, military, energy, economic, and developmental aspects 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 pre-requisite to defuse escalation of tensions and work for good neighbourly relations. The CPI(M) is firmly committed to carrying forward the process of improving Indo-Pak relations.

Further, the CPI(M) seeks better cooperation and considered unified action to tackle problems that currently engage countries in South Asia be it Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives or Nepal. Only a unified approach based on mutual respect and consideration of each others interests can achieve this. And, needless to add this is the necessary precondition for political stability in the region. 

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 peaceful coexistence –– we in India call this Panchsheel. 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 the countries of our region –– home to a majority of the worlds’ population.

On a larger canvas there is a need to work together to resolve the flash points of conflicts in Asia. These 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 establishment of a multi-polarity in today’s world as opposed to a uni-polarity 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. Some of our countries, like us in India, are seriously being threatened by attacks on our internal security by forces from across our borders. Huge resources are today being diverted away to meet these security concerns from providing the basic requirements for our people, 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. Good governance in each of our individual countries means to work for this goal which alone will allow us to tackle the awesome task of poverty reduction in our region.

This in turn requires a political will amongst all of us to together protect our interests in the globalised world. This is the only sustainable basis for us to move towards building an Asian community that shall serve our peoples’ and region well. The new economic treaties like the WTO and bilateral agreements must recognise and respect the economic sovereignty of all our countries. We shall have to work together to ensure that these rights are recognised 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 and strengthen our economic sovereignty. The necessary political initiatives for this must be undertaken by all of us.

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

We 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. Let us together work to make the 21st century, the Asian Century.

I once again record the CPI(M)’s deepest sense of appreciation for this initiative. While thanking the ruling Uri Party and the opposition Grand National Party of the Republic of Korea, comrades and friends for providing such excellent conditions and facilities for our work, I thank all of you for your attention.

Long live the solidarity of the people’s of Asia!! 
21st Century - Asian Century!! (INN)