Issuing body: Third World Congress of the Fourth International
RESOLUTION ON INDIA
After a thorough and complete examination of the situation in India and of our tasks, the International Secretariat, in a joint meeting with the representatives of the Far Eastern and other countries at the world congress and at the International Executive Committee, arrived at the following conclusions: the situation there, and its perspectives, are of central strategic importance for the Fourth International in the Far East. As stated in the political resolution of the Third World Congress, we reaffirm the excellent possibilities for building a strong section of the Fourth International that can become the leading revolutionary vanguard force in the country. These possibilities exist above all because of the absence of a strong Stalinist party in the country. However, it must also be strongly emphasised that should we fail to act in time and effectively with all the forces at our disposal, these chances could be lost, and the Stalinists — who, despite their present weakness, possess vast material resources, a powerful apparatus, and the prestige of Mao's victory in China — could take advantage of our failure to build a powerful Stalinist movement in India; and such a development could seriously compromise the work of the Fourth International in all the Asian countries, including Ceylon.
After lengthy discussion, we emphasise that our best chances in India today lie within the Socialist Party [PS], where it is possible to crystallise a strong left wing under our leadership, which could eventually provide, tomorrow, the forces for the building of a great revolutionary party in India. The primary condition for success in this work is intelligent and patient activity within the Socialist Party, based on firm attachment to the policy and programme of the Fourth International, and their application with the tactical adaptations necessary to the specific needs of the situation within the Socialist Party.
To achieve these objectives, we have unanimously adopted the following decisions with a view to strengthening and coordinating our work in India, decisions which are indispensable for the realisation of the political objectives of the International's strategy in this region of the world:
1) Comrade Bernard (Banerji) is to return immediately to India to assist in the reorganisation and work of our forces in the country.
2) Steps will be taken to convene a pan-Indian conference, which will be attended by a representation of the international centre and a fraternal delegate of the LSSP.
3) Comrade Tilak, immediately after his return to Ceylon, will go to India and remain there for a period of approximately six months to assist in the reorganisation of the group and in the carrying out of the decisions of the International Secretariat. The length of this period must be fixed so as to allow Comrade Tilak to return to Ceylon in order to take part in the crucial period preceding the coming elections in Ceylon.
4) Following the reorganisation of our forces in India and the establishment of a pan-Indian leadership, steps must be taken to establish a Far Eastern Bureau with the participation of representatives of the LSSP and of the International Secretariat.
5) The LSSP will take practical measures to ensure material support for the pan-Indian centre and the Far Eastern Bureau.
Adopted unanimously