YouSaid · the spoken record

Pandit

THE RECORD WRITES THIS SPEAKER AS PANDIT

lines on the record: 74
first: 1946-09-24
most recent: 1952-09-24
sittings or episodes: 4
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“It will therefore be necessary for us to consider and determine the means that may be open to us to ensure that the Assembly’s decisions on such matters of importance are treated with respect. The Indian delegation also feels concerned about what appears to us to be an excessive eagerness on the part of some Member States to invoke the domestic jurisdiction clause of the Charter (Article 2, paragraph 7) whenever a certain type of question is raised. We have no desire whatever, nor have we the power, to dispute the sovereignty of a Member State, or to attempt to interfere, through the medium of the United Nations or in any other manner, in their internal affairs. We in India know only too well what such interference can mean, and we would resent and resist it as firmly as any other country.”
1947-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 2 (1947)
“A denial that discrimination has been practised against Indians in South Africa is not, I submit, a serious or convincing reply to the General Assembly. The correspondence recently, published between the Prime Ministers of the two dominions reveals India’s anxiety to reach a fair and honourable settlement of this issue. It concerns, if I may say so before this Assembly, not only the relations between two dominions. Unresolved, it may spread misrepresentation and conflict over a much wider sphere, because of its basically racial character. I believe that this is not the only case where a Member State has disregarded the clearly expressed will of this Assembly.”
1947-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 2 (1947)
“We are all great in some respects, and no doubt small in others, but we all have an equal right to consideration in this Assembly in accordance with the principles laid down in the Charter. This brings me to a question of grave importance with which we are confronted in this Assembly. What if the Assembly’s recommendations, made only after exhaustive and prolonged consideration and debate, arc ignored and treated with disrespect by Member States, especially by those to whom a recommendation is specifically directed? I shall have more to say on this subject later, but it is necessary at this point to call your attention to the fact that the South African Government has taken no action to give effect to the principles underlying the resolution we adopted here last year.”
1947-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 2 (1947)
“At the same time, the permanent members of the Council have an obligation to strive to the utmost to widen the area of agreement among its members, both permanent and non-permanent. In the last analysis, the success of the Security Council and the peace and welfare of the world depend not upon the enforcement of a majority decision taken by the great Powers, but upon the forbearance, tolerance and wisdom with which they seek to achieve and maintain unity among themselves. It is sometimes said that this is an issue between the great Powers on the one side and the small and medium Powers on the other. While it is convenient to speak of the permanent members of the Council as “great Powers”, the tendency to classify countries as great and small is not useful. For instance, I would not like to assign India to any of these categories.”
1947-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 2 (1947)
“However, I am glad to have the opportunity today of stating from this rostrum that in spite of the adverse conditions, many of which we have inherited, our Government is forging ahead with the full confidence and support of the people. I would now like to deal briefly with some problems facing us here. At the present time there is a heated controversy over the unanimity rule in the Security Council. The operation of this rule has the effect, in some cases, of producing a stalemate and inhibiting the implementation of the majority will in the Security Council. Such deadlocks are discouraging and disappointing, and we would therefore advise moderation and restraint in the exercise of what is called the veto. The unrestrained use of this power is to be condemned as much as the abuse of any other power.”
1947-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 2 (1947)
“I mention this lest there should be any misunderstanding as to the magnitude and the special complexity of the tasks to which the new-born Government of free India has so energetically set its hand. Comprehensive schemes of reform, reconstruction and development in every field of our national life are either being worked out or, in some instances, are actually in the process of execution. The endeavour to raise the standard of living and forge new and free institutions for a people would be no easy matter even in a period of assured peace and general prosperity. It is at least no easier in these troubled times, when hunger, uncertainty and fear stalk through our land as through so many other lands.”
1947-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 2 (1947)
“I should not, however, be true to myself, nor would I accurately reflect the sentiments of my people, if I were to withhold from this Assembly the sadness that is in our hearts that freedom has come to us only through division which, in its turn, has led to strife — temporary, we hope — in certain parts of our country. In what is for us, as for the rest of the world, a time of historic transition, we are beset with a multitude of problems. In many respects they are not dissimilar to the problems that face most countries in the world today; but the circumstances in which we have been called upon to solve them have, inevitably, been conditioned by the policies which prevailed during the period of foreign rule in India.”
1947-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 2 (1947)
“It cannot be easy for a people to divest itself of an empire, and for the sake of an enduring world peace I would commend this example to those other nations which bear towards their colonies the relationship which existed between the United Kingdom and India until yesterday. In particular, I should like to mention the case of Indonesia, whose cultural ties with India date back many centuries and whose future is of vital importance to the peace and security of Asia. Indonesia has been fighting valiantly to be free and presents a challenge to the United Nations.”
1947-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 2 (1947)
“A comparatively brief phase in our very ancient history — when the fortunes of our people and their political condition were subjected to an alien Power — has been brought to an end. For India, and indeed for Asia, 15 August 1947 was a fateful day. It saw the triumph of an experiment unique in history, started by that great soul who may well be called the Father of the Indian nation, Mahatma Gandhi. In the past, I have not hesitated to criticize British policy towards my country. But on this occasion, with equal readiness, I desire to place on record before this great Assembly the warm appreciation of the Indian people for the spirit which moved British statesmen to make a voluntary surrender of authority over India.”
1947-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 2 (1947)
“We meet today in a disturbed and unhappy world. Economic dislocations have caused widespread suffering, and there is apprehension that the world might be plunged into still deeper distress. Looming ominously over the whole situation is the fact that the great Powers, instead of coming closer together, are drifting farther apart. There is tendon, suspense and anxiety, and an uneasy awareness that things are perhaps moving towards same new and annihilating disaster for mankind, and that not enough is being done to check this trend and direct our course to a more promising future. It is against this background that I should like to present India’s position. Since we last met, a year ago, a momentous change has taken place in our domestic situation.”
1947-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 2 (1947)
“To this end let us direct our energies and, reminding ourselves that in our unity of purpose and action alone lies the hope of the world, let us march on.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“Believing as we do that, in building the future, the effort and responsibility must be shared jointly by men and women, we earnestly hope that women of all countries will have the occasion to participate more fully with men in all departments of life, including the work of this Assembly, thus helping to create a better and more balanced world. We move, in spite of difficulties, toward a closer co-operation and the building of a world commonwealth. Let us do this with more deliberation and speed. The peoples of the world are well aware of our sentiments and look with expectation for their fulfilment. Let us recognize that human emotions and the needs of the world will not wait for an indefinite period.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“We equally express our regret that not all the mandatory Powers have offered to place territories for which they hold mandates under United Nations’ trusteeship. We are gravely concerned that the Union of South Africa has proposed that the mandated territory of South West Africa should be incorporated with the Union. I am sure this Assembly will permit me to say a word expressing my own hopes and those of my country about the greater participation of women in the work of the Assembly. Indian women are now taking part in all nation-building activities. We do not recognize caste, creed or sex as a barrier to progress and our women have equality of opportunity with men. Two of our leading women have already taken a worthy part in Committees connected with the United Nations.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“We approach the question of the veto with an earnest anxiety to help maintain and strengthen the machinery of collective organization of peace and security for all. We would protest as strongly as' anyone else, the abuse of the veto power as of any other power. I would myself prefer to look upon the so-called veto in a positive way and as the necessary device for securing that vital decisions by the Great Powers rest on unanimity and not on disregard of the total opposition to any proposal by one of them. The Secretary-General’s report on the work of the Organization proclaims the enormity of the tasks which face us. We feel bound to express our regret that none of the major political issues examined by the Security Council, with the exception of the Syrian and Lebanese questions, have been satisfactorily or conclusively disposed of.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“Surely, with the Great War ended in victory for freedom, it is time to end these lesser wars waged for empire. Another question on which India will place its considered views before this Assembly is the much discussed question of what is called the veto. No one will lay at India’s door the charge that she is oblivious to or unconcerned about the rights of weaker and smaller nations. No one can say of her that she would willingly accept the dictation of stronger Powers just because they are strong — but we are here as a country, first and foremost, to help the United Nations to establish itself in strength so that it may implement the purposes which we all have at heart. The unity of the great Powers is imperative for this purpose.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“She looks with confidence to the United Nations to give to the exploited millions of the world faith and hope and the promise that their liberations is at hand. India is concerned about the use of armed power of Member States for purposes other than preventing aggression on behalf of the United Nations. The use of troops against the national aspirations of peoples for the protection of imperial vested interests and virtually as armies of occupation threatening both weaker peoples and world peace as a whole, calls for unreserved condemnation by the United Nations, and for the demand that all such troops shall be withdrawn. This Assembly is no doubt aware of the strength and unity of feeling in India on the use of Indian troops in Indonesia and elsewhere.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“Their evil and tragic consequences are part of the problems with which we are called upon to deal. India firmly believes that imperialism, political, economic or social, in whatever part of the world it may exist and by whomsoever it may be established and perpetuated, is totally inconsistent with the objects and purposes of the United Nations and of its Charter. The sufferings, the frustration, the violation of human dignity and the challenge to world peace, freedom and security that empire represents must be one of the prime concerns of this parliament of the world’s peoples. Millions look to us to resist and end imperialism in all its forms, even as they rely upon us to crush the last vestiges of fascism and nazism. India holds that the independence of all colonial peoples is the vital concern of freedom-loving peoples everywhere.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“The way this Assembly treats and disposes of this issue is open to the gaze, no only of those gathered here, but to millions in the world, the progressive peoples of all countries — more particularly the non-European peoples of the world — who, let it not be forgotten, are an overwhelming section of the human race. The issue we have brought before you is by no means a narrow or local one, nor can we accept any contention that a gross and continuing outrage of this kind against the fundamental principles of the Charter can be claimed by anyone, and least of all by a Member State, to be a matter of no concern to this Assembly of the world’s peoples. The bitter memories of racial doctrines in the practice of States and Governments are still fresh in the minds of all of us.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“We seek no dominion over others — we claim no privileged position over other peoples, but we do claim equal and honourable treatment for our people wherever they may go and we cannot accept any discrimination against them.” We have for this reason, and as a demonstration that we look to the United Nations to implement in practice the principles and basis of civilized life which has been embodied in the Charter, brought before this Assembly the treatment of Indians in the Union of South Africa, a Member State and a signatory to the Charter. The issue is one where we have appealed to public opinion and to this tribunal, the United Nations. We could do no better, and we could do no less.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“Today the Government of India has announced, in the following words, the outlines of an independent foreign policy: “We believe that peace and freedom are indivisible and the denial of freedom anywhere must lead to conflict and war. We repudiate utterly the nazi doctrine of racialism wheresoever and in whatever form it may be practised.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“As a major country, geographically in a strategic position in the Indian Ocean, with significant relations and cultural ties with her neighbours in Asia, the contribution she has made in resistance to aggression and the cause of human freedom and her role in world economy entitle her to a place in the important organs of the United Nations — I would mention especially the Security and Trusteeship Councils — and an adequate share in the administration of the Organization. We are confident that this Assembly will readily recognize and respond adequately to these desires. Hitherto, as a dependent country, our relations with the rest of the world were perforce not of our choice or making.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“The head of our National Government and our Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jawaharlal Nehru, has proclaimed our stand in relation to the United Nations in these words: “Towards the United Nations Organization, India’s attitude is wholehearted cooperation and unreserved adherence, in both spirit and letter, to the Charter governing it; to that end India will participate fully in its varied activities and endeavour, and assume that role in its councils to which her geographical position, population and contribution towards peaceful progress entitle her — in particular, the Indian delegation will make it clear that India stands for the independence of all colonial and dependent peoples and their full right to self-determination.” India does not yet play a sufficiently effective part in this Assembly. She desires and intends to do so.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“We have yet to achieve our independence, but we have travelled so far along the road of freedom that today, for the first time, India’s delegation to an international assembly is briefed and accredited by a National Government, and speaks with a full sense of responsibility and authority vested in that Government by the confidence and sanction of our people.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)
“I stand before this great Assembly — unique in the annals of human history where representatives of freedom-loving countries of the world are gathered together — to proclaim not only the adherence of my country to the principles and purposes of the United Nations embodied in its Charter, but the determination of our people to help to make it a reality. We in India have pursued steadfastly, often at great cost, the goal of the freedom of peoples to which this great Organization is dedicated.”
1946-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 1 (1946)