Gromyko’s Delhi talks centre round Bangladesh
From Our Special Correspondent, NEW DELHI, Aug. 8.–Problems arising out of the Bangladesh movement and Pakistan’s attitude cropped up during the 65-miunite talks between India and the Soviet Union at Foreign Ministers level here tonight.
Earlier. Mr. Gromyko, Foreign Minister of the USSR and Mr. Swaran Singh India’s External Affairs Minister, formally spoke on their “mutual interests” of peace and security in the Indian sub-continent. This was Interpreted by experts as reference to the situation being created at the moment by Pakistan’s open war threats against India.
Within less than two hours after his arrival and enthusiastic welcome at Palam airport. Mr. Gromyko and Mr. Singh started official talks in the South Block of the Central Secretarial. The purpose was mainly to do the preliminary work on the agenda outlining the subjects for further talks tomorrow and later.
That both sides are giving importance to this phase of discussion is indicated by the fact that both had some of their aides present.
The preliminary talks settled a three-fold programme of discussion between the two countries: (1) bilateral cooperation covering all spheres: (2) discussion on international problems: (3) recent development in this region including Bangladesh and Pakistan.
In this third category, the subject of probable Sino American detente is not excluded, according to a spokesman of the External Affairs Minister who briefed newsmen after the talks.
An important phase of discussions will start when Mr. Gromyko meats Mrs. Gandhi tomorrow in Parliament House. For some time at least, both are expected to be together without aides, except interpreters. (Mr. Gromyko speaks English).
In today’s talks the Soviet side was represented by (besides Mr. Gromko) Mr. A. A. Fomin. Chief of South Asia Division of the Foreign Ministry, Mr. V. G. Makarov, Senior Assistant to the Foreign Minister Mr. A. N. She chenko, Counscllor to the Foreign Minister, and Mr. V. Y. Pletcko. Counsellor for the Foreign Minister’s Secretariat.
With Mr. Swaran Singh were Mr. T. N. Kaul, Foreign Secretary, Mr. K. S. Shelvankar. Indian Ambassador to Moscow (who has travelled with Mr. Gromyko), Mr. D. P. Dhar, former Indian Ambassador to Moscow, and Mr. Venkateshwaran, Joint Secretary, East Europe.
Mr. Gromyko will have talks for three days—from tomorrow to Wednesday next. After that a joint statement is due to be signed.
It is not yet settled if Mr. Gromyko will visit some of the refugee camps in West Bengal. His programme for Thursday has not yet been fixed.
In the formal speeches at Palam Airport where Mr. Gromyko, Mrs. Gromyko and party arrived by an IL-62 at the scheduled time of 5-15
p.m. a notable thing was that both the Foreign Minister underlined the importance peace of this region.
Mr. Swaran Singh, were meeting heartily the Soviet Foreign Minister, said he would be looking forward for talks with Mr. Gromyko when they would have exchange of views “on mutual interests of peace and security on our part of the world and also peace and security of the entire world.”
Mr. Gromyko on his part said, reading from a prepared speech in English. “I wish to express hope that the forthcoming exchange of views and talks with Indian leaders will be fruitful and useful, that they will promote the cause of further developing and deepening the friendly cooperation between our countries.
“That corresponds to the interests of the Soviet and Indian peoples to the interests of the consolidation of peace in Asia and throughout the world.”
Experts here noted that Mr. Gromyko’s reference to peace in Asia broadly covered the problems of Bangladesh and Pakistan as also Vietnam and the Indo-China region of Asia.
Subjects pertaining to various tension points in the world, such as Indo-China, Vietnam, West Asia, South Africa, are due to figure during talks and discussions ahead.
At Palam Airport about 400 people were present with festoons, drums and garlands to welcome Mr. Gromyko and party. They displayed flags of the CPI, the Congress (R) and festoons of the Indo-Soviet Friendship Association.
Mr. Gromyko was profusely garlanded at the VIP enclosure where he was introduceed to diplomats mainly from the socialist countries. A number of M. P.s were also present.
The Sovietr Foreign Minister chose for himself a scarler-red garland of roses out of a heap and kept it hung from his neck all the time, contrasting his light brown suit. From the airport be drove to the city along with Mr. Singh while the waiting crowed raised the slogan: “HindiRussi bhai bhai..
Reference: Hindustan Standard 09.08.1971