|
Dear Dr.
Alagappa Chettiar,
The Executive Committee of
the Indian Council of World Affairs has endorsed my suggestion of an Inter Asian Relations
Conference, to be held early next year at Delhi or some other suitable place in India. The
proposal has already had an encouraging response from prominent leaders in Syria,
Indonesia, Burma and Ceylon The main object of the conference will be to exchange ideas
regarding the common problem which all Asian countries must face in the post war era. The
final agenda cannot be prepared in detail without previous consultation with the
participating countries. Tentatively, however, the following topics have been approved by
the Executive committee of the Indian Council of World Affairs (a) national Movements for
freedom in Asia (b) racial problems with special reference to the root causes of racial
conflicts (c) transition from a colonial to a national economy, dictated primarily by
national interests, but with due regard to international co-operation (d) inter Asian
emigration and the status and treatment of immigrants; (e) welfare problems with special
reference to public health and nutrition; (f) problems of industrial labour and industrial
development; (g) cultural problems, with special reference to education, art and
architecture scientific research and literature; (h) the status of women and women's
movements in Asia.
Each participating country
will be invited to send a certain number of delegates and observers, to be selected by
organisations having objects similar to those of the Indian Council of World Affairs.
Invitations will shortly go out to representative leaders in the different countries of
Asia, so that we may have at the Conference a full and satisfactory discussion of the
problems on the agenda. It is hoped that one result of the Conference may be the
periodical summoning of similar gatherings at suitable intervals at different centers in
Asia.
India as the host, will
have to arrange for the accommodation of the delegates who will attend the conference.
Adequate preparations must be made for the reception of the delegates from other countries
and facilities afforded to them (to the extent that Funds permit) to see something of
India during their stay in the country. An approximate estimate of the Expenses of the
conference is rupees two Lakhs.
I have accepted the
invitation of the Executive Committee of the Indian Council of World Affairs to be
Chairman of the Committee entrusted with the task of organising the Conference. I would be
grateful for a generous contribution from you to meet the expenses of the conference.
Cheques may be drawn in my favour and sent to me at the above address.
|