PM hails Chou’s statement
From Our Own Correspondent, SIMLA, Oct. 7.–The Prime Minister today welcomed as “a right stpp” the reported statement by the Chinese premier. Mr. Chou En-lai, that China was prepared to have an understanding with India.
Mrs. Gandhi’s attention to Mr. Chou’s statement made in Peking was drawn by newsmen as she arrived here to attend the AICC (R) session beginning here tomorrow.
She said, “only the future can tell how far it (the statement) will help” improve relations between China and India.
Mrs. Gandhi added: “This is one small step forward.”
Newsmen literally besieged Mrs. Gandhi at the Annandale helipad and sought her comments on Mr. Chou En-lai’s statement before a group of Americans, add agencies.
She reported : “What can I say? Don’t you think it is a good thing? This is what we have been saying all along (that the treaty was not meant against China or any third country).”
A newsman then asked if she could not say more about this subject. The Prime Minister asked him to be more specific while putting the question. Thererupon, a correspondent asked if she felt that Mr. Chou En-lai’s remark would help India’s attempt at normalisation of relations between the two countries.
The Prime Minister was accorded a warm and affectionate welcome when she arrived here from Chandigarh.
After she got Down from an IAF helicopter at Annandale grounds, she was received by the State Governor, Mr. S. Chakravarti, the Chief Minister. Dr. Y. S. Parmar, the GOC-inc. Western Command, General K. P. Kandeth and a husenumber of people who had gathered to receive her. She was profusely persented with bouquets of fresh autumn flowers by the members of the Reception Committee, the Ministers of State Government and others.
Addressing a public meeting at Panchukla, 13 km from Chandigarh earlier, Mrs. Gandhi said that no power could suppress India or push it to a back row.
“We will face all dangers unitedly and overcome various obstacles and march forward,” she added.
She earlier inaugurated the Rs. 55 lakh Ghaggar bridge which links the new Kalka-Ambala highway by passing Punjab.
The Bangladesh crisis, she said, had imposed a big burden on India but she looked upon it, as “test of India unity, oneness, wisdom and democracy.” She was fully confident that the people of India would “pass the test” and boldly face the difficulties created by the Bangladesh upheaval.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 8.10.1971