Bangladesh and India pledge co-operation
NEW DELHI, JAN. 5.-In he wake of an enthusiastic and warm welcome extended here this evening to the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. India and Bangladesh pledge co-operation and friendship for a new era in the sub-continent.
This is the first ever official visit to the Indian capital by a dignitary of Bangladesh. The Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdus Samad, is here on a four-day official visit and talks at the invitation of the External Affairs Minister.
Mr. Swaran Singh, who received Mr. Samad at Palam Airport, said in his welcome speech it was time all nations had recognised the Government of Bangladesh.
Many people had turned up a Palam Airport despite the cold weather to welcome the Bangladesh Minister. Slogans were raised: “Joi Bangla”, “Indira Gandhi Zindabd”. “Sheikh Mujib Zindabad”. Joi Hind”. Scores of garlanda and bounquets were offered him. All the employees of Bangladesh Mission here, headed by their chief. Mr. Humayun Rasheed Choudhury, along with their family members, were present to receive Mr. Samad.
So also were many Indians including M. P’s, Mr. D. P. Dhar, Chairman of the policy Planning Committee of the External Affairs Minsitry. Dr. K. L. Rao, Minister of State for Irrigation and Power. Mr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, General Secretary of the Congress and a number of officials of the Planning Commission and External Affairs Ministry.
In his talks with various Ministers here. Mr. Samad and his delegation will discuss affairs of industries, planning, defence, foreign policies and Indian cooperation for the country’s recosnstruction.
In the delegation are: Mr. Lutfar Rahman, Secretary, Commerce and Industry. Mr. Faruq Choudhury, Director-General, Foreign Office. Mr. Hossain Ali, Chief of the mission in Calcutta. Mr. Enam Ahmed Choudhury. Jt. Secretary, Commerce and Industry. Mr. M. Hussain, member. Planning Commission, and Mr. Amjadul Huq. Press Counsellor-dsignate.
Mr. H. R. Choudhury, Chief of the mission here, introduced the Foreign Minister to the dignitaries present. Thereupon, he and Mr. Swaran Singh came to a battery of microphones. First spoke Mr. Swaran Singh to welcome Mr. Samad, Mr. Samad then spoke from a prepared text.
Mr. Samad repeatedly spoke of the “magnificent leadership” of Mr. Gandhi. He also referred to the “great people of India and the Government of India,” and to the indestructible and irreversible friendship” between the peoples of India and Bangladesh.
Eyes were miost as he said: “The only thing that has marred this event (meaning the first official visit by a Bangladesh dignitary) is the absence of our President and our leaders. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. We pray that soon he will be our midst in and the world in cooperation with your great Prime Minister.
Mr. Samad said. “The frontiers between the independent sovereign Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh and India are just healed scars of the events of 1917 as there do not exist any frontiers in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh and the great people of India,” adds UNI.
The Bangladesh Foreign Minister said. “Let co-operation, brotherhood and fraternity between our two peoples based on pillars of common ideas and mutual respect be a gulding star for the rest of the world, including Pakistan.”
“This is one of history’s proudest moments. The great people of India under the magnificant leadership of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the people of Bangladesh have forged an everlasting bond of friendship.”
Mr. Swaran Singh in his welcome address was all praise for the bravery of the people of Bangladesh and was confident that the friendship between the two nations” that had roots in the blood of the people of Bangladesh. Mukti Bahini” and the Indian Army would be eternal.
Reality will soon be realised
Mr. Swaran Singh said the quick return to normality within a few days of the Bangladesh Government’s shifting over to Dacca from Mujibnagar, belying the pessimist’s predictions, proved to the world that the truely elected representatives of the Bangladesh commanded the unstinted support of the 75 million people of Bangladesh.
He was confident that very soon the international community would realise the reality of the situation and accord Bangladesh the rightful recognition and place it in the comunity of nations.
Mr. Samad’s programme here includes talks with Mr. D. P. Dhar, the External Affairs Minister Mr. Swaran Singh, the Defence Minister. Mr. Jagjivan Ram, the Planning Minister, Mr. C. Subramanlam, Dr. K. L. Rao, Minister for Irrigation and Power, the Finance Minister Mr. Y. B. Chavan, the Minister for Industrial Development, Mr. Moinul Huq Choudhury, and the Minister for Agriculture. Mr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.
He will also call on the President.
Our Dum Dum Airport correspondent adds: We have approached many countries including the USA for the return for our leaders, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and all of them have agreed to help us in the matter. Mr. Samad said.
Mr. Azad. who arrived at Dum Dum from Dacca by an IA Avro left for Delhi after a brief half.
In an Airport interview Mr. Samad said the International Red Cross had informed him that they could not meet Bangladesh yet. We are confident that our leader would be soon amongst us, he added.
Before leaving Dacca for India, the Bangladesh Foreign Minister declared that the Bangladesh Government would have to examine afresh whatever obligations” it had with the friendly countries, adds PTI.
“We are not a successor Government and we are not going to bear the burdens and legacies of the occupation regime without first examining them.” Mr. Samad told newsmen.
Mr. Samad described as “in correct and misleading“ a foreign ageney report quoting a Foreign Office spokesman that the “Bangladesh Government nullified all foreign treaties and loans signed by the Pakistani regime.”
The Foreign Minister said while the Bangladesh Government would not bear the burdens and legacies’ of the occupation regime, “it does, not mean that we have no faith in the United Nations Charter.”
As for acceptance or otherwise of the “obligations” of the previous regime, he said this would depend on discussions with the countries concerned.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 06. 01. 1972