And Pindi snaps ties with Delhi
NEW DELHI DEC. 6_Within a few hours of Mrs. Gandhi’s announcement today that India had formally recognized the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Islamabad broke off diplomatic relations with New Delhi. This has not come as a surprise to India.
Islamabad did not however formally communicate its decision to New Delhi till late this evening. The Government of India came to know of it through Radio Pakistan.
No indication has been given to India of the arrangements West Pakistan proposed to make under international conventions, for repatriation to the personnel of the diplomatic missions from one country to another.
The official spokesman declined to say what precise steps New Delhi proposed to take, but he said it required two countries to maintain diplomatic relations. it is possible that the good offices to a third country will be sought, as provided under accepted conventions, for repatriation of the personnel of the missions and for looking after the interests, such as property , of one country in another.
It must have been known to Islamabad that if it unleashed a war against India, New Delhi would hasten to give formal recognition to Bangladesh, New Delhi, at any rate was aware that the first reaction of Islamabad to India’s recognition of Bangladesh would be to sever diplomatic relations. That is precisely what has happened.
Agencies add: An official announcement in Islamabad said India’s action in recognizing the “so-called Bangladesh” had “exposed” its hatred towards Pakistan and its desire to destroy Pakistan.
The announcement, which came about five hours after Prime Minister Mrs. Gandhi anounced the Government’s decision in Parliament, also claimed that the action was contrary to the principles of the United Nations charter and the Bandung principles.
It was stated that Switzerland would look after Pakistan’s interests in India.
A spokesman of the External Affairs Ministry declined to comment on the Pakistani decision, which he described as “something like a divorce.”
Earlier in the day, before Islamabad’s decision had been announced, the spokesmen had been asked whether recognition of Bangladesh by India meant automatic snapping of ties with Pakistan. The reply then, was : “Why should we? They (the Islamabad Government) are still in control of West Pakistan.”
But Pakistan has refused the Soviet Union access to Indian diplomatic personnel held in communicado in Karachi, official sources said in Moscow today.
The Soviet Union sought access in response to India’s appeal to all friendly countries for help to establish contact and to minister to their needs.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 7.12.1971