Indian Minister of External Affairs K. Natwar Singh said Monday that the relevance of Panchsheel, or the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, is in the strength it lends to the voice of nations, big or small, in articulating their concerns and interests in the new international political, economic and social order that is being defined today.

The minister made the remarks at a grand reception held Monday in this capital city marking the initiation of Panchsheel, which was jointly established by China, India and Myanmar 50 years ago.

Singh noted that the inspiring ideals enshrined in Panchsheel have become not only an integral part of the foreign policy of India, but have also been widely accepted in the international community since it was initiated.

"The quintessence of Panchsheel is rooted in the cultural traditions of India and China, two of the world's most ancient civilizations," he said, adding that it also provides the

framework for developing new methods of international interface while allowing countries to maintain their national identity, spirit and character.

Speaking of globalization, Singh noted that theories have been advanced of globalization extinguishing national sovereignty and diversity in the world. "It is our view that such theories are unsustainable and antithetical to a democratic world order.

He stressed that "Globalization should not become the worldwide manifestation of 'strong overpowering the weak'", adding that it should pave the way for a "federation of friendly inter-dependent nations, where no one dominates or exploits the other."

Talking about the position of India and China in the world, Singh said that the "fulcrum of political and economic activity in the world is shifting toward Asia. It is widely acknowledged that the future of Asia cannot be de-linked from the future of India and China."

Singh highly spoke of Indo-China relations by saying that "India's relations with China are in the process of further diversification and development. We have agreed at the highest level to move ahead in diverse areas of cooperation."

"Both India and China have on many occasions reiterated their commitment to developing their long-term constructive and cooperative partnership on the basis of mutual sensitivity to each other's concerns, equality and the principles of Panchsheel."

Quoting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's remarks on June 24, the minister reiterated that "we shall carry forward the process of discussion to resolve the boundary question from the political perspective of our bilateral relations."

Singh concluded by saying that India intends to strive, in the 21st century, for a world where shared prosperity coexists, without injury to human dignity.

Some 400 guests including high-ranking Indian officials and diplomatic missions to India attended the ceremony.

Source: Xinhua