Bangladesh crisis may escalate, Moscow told
MOSCOW, Sept. 28.-India today informed the Soviet Union that the Bangladesh crisis might escalated after the monsoon, report agencies.
This indication was given by Indian sources after the three hour morning session of Mrs. Gandhi’s talks with Soviet leaders, Mr. Brezhney, President Podgorny and Mr. Kosygin.
The sources said the talks were held in a very cordial atmosphere and there was a very friendly exchange of views on matters of common interest.
The Indian side was believed to have given a detailed analysis of the situation in Bangladesh and expressed concern at the failure of word opinion to urge Pakistan to create conditions conductive to the return of the refugees in honour and dignity.
It was pointed out that in the event of Pakistan trying to intensify atrocities in East Bengal it would inevitably have its reprecussions on India. Only an immediate political solution would meet the heeds of the situation.
The two sides had again discussions in the afternoon in two groupsthe Indian side led by Mrs. Gandhi and advised by the Foreign Secretary, Mr. T. N. Kaul, discussing political issues with Soviet leaders in one group.
The other group, where the Indian team was headed by Mr. D. P. Dhar, Chairman of the Policy planning Committee of the External Affairs Ministry, was considering problems of economic co-operation between the two countries.
A spokesman said the exchange of views-showed closeness of positions of the two Governments on most matters.
When the morning talks opened in the chandeliered Conference Hall in Mr. Kosygin’s Kremlin apartment the spokesman said, Mr. Brezhnev welcomed Mrs. Gandhi’s visit and expressed the view that such visits should take place more often even if only for short durations.
Mrs. Gandhi was also the chief guest at a banquet given by the Soviet leaders were both the Indian Prime Minister and Mr. Kosygin dwelt at length on the Bangladesh problem.
Mr. Kosygin stressed the need for a “political settlement” in East Bengal which would take into account the legitimate interests of its population and called upon President Yahya Khan of Pakistan to “undertake most effective steps for the liquidation of this hot-bed of tension.”
Mr. Kosygin said the Soviet Union was doing and would continue to do everything possible within its power to maintain peace in the subcontinent and not to allow cruption of an armed conflict.
The banquet was given at the end of the morning session of the talks between Mrs. Gandhi and the Soviet leaders. During the talks she is understood to have forcefully presented India’s views on the crisis in the sub-continent and its dangerous possibilities to enable the Soviet side to understand India’s position and to reach areas of agreement.
In this context, observers considered Mr. Kosygin’s speech as representing an advance in emphasis over previous Soviet pronouncements on the subject.
Mr. Kosygin said that the exchange of views between the two countries on this issue showed that “the Soviet Union and India will continue pooling their efforts” to attain the aim of maintenance of peace in the region.
According to Kremlinotogists, this was the first occasion in recent times that the three topmost leaders of the Soviet Union had together held discussions with a visiting Prime Minister. They beleved this indicated the importance of the Soviet Union attached to India following the conclusion of the Indo-Soviet friendship treaty as also the Soviet anxiety to know at first hand from Mrs. Gandhi of the situation in the sub-continent.
Mr. Kosygin significantly devoted a major part of his 15-minutespeech to the Bangladesh developments. He said the situation in the subcontinent arising from the events in East Bengal was causing concern to the Soviet Government.
He added: “We distinctly visualise the intricacy of the questions that emerged as a result of these events in the relations between India and Pakistan. It is impossible to justify the actions of the Pakistani authorities which compelled over eight million people to leave their country land, property and to seek shelter in neighbouring India.
Mrs. Gandhi pressed the urgency of creating conditions in which East Bengal refugees, irrespective of their religion, could return to their homes without fear. She said: The growing agony of the people of East Bengal does not seem to have moved many Governments.
“Our restraint has been appreciated only in words. The basic issues involved and the real threat to peace and stability in Asia are being largely ignored.
“We are glad that the leaders of the Soviet Union have counselld Pakistan to reach a political solution which will satisfy the aspirations of the people of East Bengal. We hope that these egorts will bear fruit.
“The international response has fallen short of the scale which a grim tragedy of this magnitude demands. It is surely the duty of the world not to delay in creating conditions in which those refugees irrespective of their religion can return without fear”.
“One cannot but be perturbed when fire breaks out to a neighbour’s house. What happened in East Bengal or Bangladesh as the world has begun to call it, can no longer be regarded as Pakistan’s domestic affair.’
The Prime Minister began with a reference to the recent Indo-Soviet treaty of “peace, friendship and co-operation” which had been acclaimed in India and the Soviet Union.
“Even the traditional critics of the Indo-Soviet friendship in various parts of the world have recognised the importance of the treaty. Yet, there are some in India and abroad who are trying to misinterpret its meaning and purpose.
“However, I am convinced that in the coming months and yeas they will also realise that the treaty will help the evolution of a saner and more peaceful international situation,” she said.
Mrs. Gandhi paid tributes to the recent Soviet peace initiatives, especially the understanding with West Germany, which she hoped, would lead to further relaxation of other tensions.
She said her talks with the Soviet leaders had been fruitful and there had been a close identity of views which reflected the closeness of the relations. Before returning to Delhi tomorrow Mrs. Gandhi will visit Moscow University, where she will be conferred with an honorary doctorate degree.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 29.9.1971