P. M. & Gromyko Discuss Bangladesh Crisis
From Our Special Correspondent, NEW DELHI, Aug. 9.—The Soviet Foreign Minister. Mr. Gromyko, had an hour-long meeting with the Prime Minister this morning at which they are understood to have mainly discussed issues of bilateral interest and also the Bangladesh crisis.
The Soviet Minister came to the meeting with Mrs Gandhi straight from the ceremony at which he and his Indian counter-part. Mr. Swaran Singh, signed the twenty-year Indo-Soviet treaty of peace, friendship and cooperation. Mrs Gandhi was then with the Opposition leaders explaining to them the broad outlines of the treaty.
She joined Mr. Gromyko shortly thereafter for talks which, according to the Soviet dignitary, were “very important” in the context of Indo-Soviet relations. Official sources declined to comment on the nature of the talks, nor were they prepared to mention the topics discussed. The discussions, these sources said, were wide-ranging and revealed a broad measure of agreement.
Mr. Gromyko, who resumed his yesterday’s unfinished discussions with Mr. Swaran Singh shortly after the treaty was signed by the two, met the external Affairs Minister once again later in the afternoon. Mr. Gromyko was Mr. Swaran Singh’s guest at a banquet held in his honour later in the evening.
The discussions between Mr. Gromyko and Indian leaders will be resumed tomorrow. Mr. Gromyko is due to meet the Prime Minister and some of her colleagues again.
The Soviet Foreign Minister is not likely to meet any Bangladesh leader because, as informed sources indicated here today, none of them had sought a meeting with him. He is not visiting refugee camps in West Bengal. He is leaving for home on Thursday morning.
Mr. Gromyko speaking at a dinner tonight said here that the treaty was the culmination of the efforts by the two countries to “build brick by brick” the edifice of friendship.
Mr. Gromyko added that the treaty was not aimed to harm anybody.
He said he would report to the General Committee of the Soviet Union and Soviet leadership that the treaty was greeted in India with great welcome. He hoped the treaty would lead to closer consulations and even more cooperation between the two countries.
Mr. Swaran Singh said that the treaty would avert any threat to peace and preserve peace in the region.
UNI adds: The U. S. and French ambassadors were called to the External Affairs Ministry soon after the signing of the Indo-Soviet treaty of peace, friendship and cooperation, says UNI.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 10.8.1971