Below is the excerpts from the speech of Vice president AT COMMEMORATION OF 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIVE PRINCIPLES OF PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE IN GREAT HALL OF PEOPLE, BEIJING, CHINA . It is useful in understanding the usefulness of concept of panchsheel in modern era. Pursuit of world peace is a fundamental tenet of India’s foreign policy. It draws inspiration from our ancient civilisational value of considering the world as one family. This shapes and guides our actions in international relations. Even before India became an independent nation, the leaders of our freedom struggle had outlined the fundamental precepts and values that embody the Five Principles of Peaceful Existence or Panchsheel. The Constitution of India enjoins the State to endeavour to promote international peace and security and to maintain just and honourable relations between nations. Speaking in our Parliament the then Prime Minister Nehru had referred to Lord Buddha’s use of Panchsheel as a moral concept and had we...
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