362 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
India and the British Commonwealth
I. The Necessity for a Link
In considering the question of establishing a link between India and the British Commonwealth there are two questions which arise for decision. First is, should India sever all her connections with the British Commonwealth and assume the status of an independent Sovereign State ? The second is that if India is not to sever all her connections with the British Commonwealth, what should be the relationship between India and the British Commonwealth ?
- On the first question there seems to be hardly any difference of opinion. Barring a few extremists, the majority are against India severing her connection with the British Commonwealth. It is not that only India is anxious to maintain this link, it is desired by the British Commonwealth. It is in the interest of the Commonwealth that India should not sever her connection with it. The link between India and the Commonwealth is vital to the Commonwealth. The defence of the Commonwealth depends upon its link with India. At the same time it would not do for India to adopt an attitude of indifference. For she too cannot do without link with the Commonwealth. There are two things which India needs and which are vital to her existence as a free country capable of shaping her destiny in her own independent way without dictation from outside and of having an effective voice in the affairs of the world. Free India cannot be free India unless she reaches this position. This position India cannot reach unless her industrialization becomes an accomplished fact and unless she develops in a military strength both adequate for defence as well as for offence. For achieving this objective India must obtain technical equipment which she has not and which she cannot get without outside help. Such outside help can come more readily from the British Commonwealth than from any other quarters. It is, therefore, in the interest of India that she should have a link with the Commonwealth.
II. National Status vs. Dominion Status
- The solution of the second question is, however, not quite so easy. It raises many problems. India has achieved a national status. Should she exchange it for a Dominion Status ? This is