Pakistan does not hold many Indian POWs: Ram
From Our Special Correspondent, NEW DELHI, DEC. 23.Answering questions at a Press Club luncheon here today, Mr. Jagjivan Ram, Defence Minister, said that the number of Indian troops held prisoner by Pakistan was not large. The Government was trying to obtain all information about these POWs.
Mr. Ram said it was not for him to say how soon the Soviet Union or other countries would recognise the new Government of Bangladesh.
He hoped the Pakistani leaders would be wise enough to release Sheikh Mujibur Rahman much before the question of repatriation of Pakistani prisoners of war was taken up.
He was answering a question whether the repatriation of Pakistani POWs would be a quid pro quo for the release of the Sheikh.
About the 7th Fleet, he said US had been saying that the fleet was there for a particular purpose. He did not, however, think there would be any clash between the Indian Navy and the 7th fleet.
Mr. Ram did not think there was any immediate threat of another war between India and Pakistan.
Mr. Bhutto had no doubt held out the threat of another war in his broadcast to the nation but a climb down had been noticed in his subsequent pronouncements.
He could not say which powers were likely to back the Pakistani President. “I cannot read Mr. Bhutto’s mind.”
About the reason for the rout of the Pakistani Army in Bangladesh, the Defence Minister said: “Do you want me to disclose everything?”
He did not think that there had been any large-scale movement of Chinese troops along India’s northern borders’ during the war with Pakistan,
Pakistanis responsible for killing innocent people in Bangladesh may be tried on charges of war crimes.
The Defence Minister was asked about the possibility. He declined to say anything categorically and merely said: “I do not want to say anything on this subject for a few days”.
His ambivalent remark suggests that the scope for such trials still exists.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 24. 12. 1971