Indo-Bangla diplomatic ties likely in January
By Our Special Correspondent, Formal diplomatic relations with Bangladesh are expected to be established with the opening of an office of India’s envoy at Dacca by the second week of January.
It is likely that Mr. D. P. Dhar, who has been acting as the person’s emissary of Mrs. Gandhi to different countries during the Bangladesh movement will act as India’s special envoy at Dacca for a temporary period. It might be that he would be at Dacca for about six months. In the initial stage of consolidating the relations between India and Bangladesh.
Mr. Dhar, now in Calcutta, may fly to Dacca for a brief survey of the overall situation there after the capitulation of the Pakistani occupation forces. He might for the present stay in Dacca for about a week before returning to Calcutta and Delhi.
To begin with Mr. Dhar will have a small staff at his Dacca office, but its strength may be increased as and when necessary. A group of some 23 Indian officers is expected to leave shortly for Dacca to complete the arrangements for opening the Indian chancery in Bangladesh.
On Tuesday Mr. Dhar spent a busy day meeting Bangladesh Cabinet Ministers and discussing details of various issues of interest both to India and Bangladesh.
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 22.12.1971