RAWALPINDI: Official sources here today [Oct 2] declined to offer any comment on the Soviet Union’s reported offer to India to give “all possible help” for a “political settlement” in East Pakistan “in the spirit of friendly relations with India”. The offer was reported to have been made by the Soviet President, Mr Nikolai Pod­g­orny, at a banquet given in his honour by the Indian President, Dr. V.V. Giri, in New Delhi last night.

However, the Soviet President’s observation, coming soon after Mr. Kosygin’s remark … at a luncheon … in honour of Mrs. Indira Gandhi, that it was “impossible to justify the action of the Pakistan authorities that forced more than eight million people to leave their country”, appears to have caused considerable concern….

It is difficult to believe that the Soviet Union has finally decided to align itself with Indian policies in regard to the East Pakistan crisis. This position will be completely contrary to the assurances hitherto given by the Soviet Union to Pakistan.

However, the two observations put together give the impression that the Soviet Union is providing encouragement to the Indian Govern­ment in carrying on with its policy of interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs aimed at destroying Pakistan completely.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2021