বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বাদশ খণ্ড)/৩

শিরোনাম সূত্র তারিখ
‘ইয়াহিয়ার প্রতি চীনের প্রকাশ্য সমর্থন ভারতকে নিরস্ত্র করবে না’: প্রধানমন্ত্রীর ঘোষণা দৈনিক অমৃতবাজার ১৪ এপ্রিল, ১৯৭১

CHINA’S OPEN SUPPORT TO YAHYA WON'T DETER US: PM

(From our Lucknow Office)

 LUCKNOW, Apr. 13. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi today warned that India would not remain a silent spectator to the happenings in Bangladesh and declared that China’s “open support” to West Pakistan's military regime against Bangladesh would not affect the country’s stand on the issue.

 Addressing a press conference here, Mrs. Gandhi said, “We take decisions independently and our attitude does not depend on the actions of others”.

 Asked whether the Government would accord recognition to the provisional Government of Bangladesh, Mrs. Gandhi said the matter would receive due consideration. Replying to another question whether the war in Bangladesh was “an imperial war” by West Pakistan, Mrs. Gandhi said use of strong words would not help.

 Mrs. Gandhi felt that developments in East Bengal might have their effects in other parts of the country. People residing in East Bengal and India had blood relations and it was but natural for Indians to have their sympathies with the people of East Bengal.

 Commenting over the election results in Pakistan, Mrs. Gandhi said Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s leadership would have paid rich dividends to both the countries and their relations would have improved.

 She said what had happened in Bangladesh had now actually changed everything and this could only be described as bad luck for both the countries.

 In an obvious reference to Ceylon and other neighbouring countries. Mrs. Gandhi said what was happening there might have their indirect repercussions in this country as well.

 She declined to reply any further questions on Bangladesh remarking that she would not like to add anything further than what she had said on earlier occasions.

 Later, addressing a Congress (R) legislators meeting here, Mrs. Gandhi said although we should not interfere in the internal matters of other countries, what was happening in East Bengal could not be described as purely internal affairs of Pakistan.

 Mrs. Gandhi was given a tumultuous reception by the people of her constituency on her first visit after the mid-term poll.

 The Prime Minister had busy day meeting local citizens, addressing a seminar on district economic problems, and also opening a State roadways bus terminal station.

 Accompanied by the U.P. Chief Minister, Mr. Kamlapati Tripathi and some of his Cabinet colleagues Mrs. Gandhi arrived here by helicopter from Lucknow. The Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Om Mehta, and Mr. Uma Shanker Dikshit, also came with her.