XII. Bengali refugees vis-a-vis India's role.
About six million East Pakistanis have crossed over to India-a number which is larger than the population of many countries such as Albania, Congo, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Finland. Guinea. Ireland. Israel, Jordan, Laos, Labanon, Luxemburg, Mauritania Mauritius, New Zealand Norway, Panama” Paraguay, Senegal, Siena. Leone, Singapore. Somalia, Uruguay or Zambia. The influx is continuing and everyday about fifty thousand people are leaving their houses for shelter in India's eastern provinces. As there cannot be smoke without fire, there cannot be heavy influx of Bengali refugees in India unless the conditions in East Pakistan are abnormal and insecure. The sufferings of these uprooted people are tremendous. Thousands have died of cholera. Exhaustion, starvation and other discases are likely to claim many more lives. The problem is gigantic, Yahya Khan's government has accused India of interference, aggression and infiltration. But the fact remains that many of these people would perhaps been killed by the army if they had not fled away. The problem has become too big for India and extremely expensive. The life and condition in the Indian provinces of West Bengal, Assam. Meghalaya and Tripura have become abnormal due to heavy influx of Bengali refugees. The situation is explosive. The United Nations has recognized the fact and appealed to member nations for massive aid. Britain, U.S.A., Japan, Australia, Canada, West Germany, Soviet Union, France, Netherlands have responded to this appeal and are sending relief. More countries are expected to follow suit. An impartial study of the situation would prove that the gigantic humanitarian task India has undertaken at tremendous cost is laudable. India has sympathized with the suffering of East Pakistanis and supported their demand for human and political rights, but has not waged any war or aggression against Pakistan. As Mrs. Indira Gandhi said, “what we are doing is to raise our voice in the capitals of the world and in the United Nations over the brutal massacre across our borders. India has no desire to influence in the internal affairs of another country. But it annot remain silent over the oppression and wanton killing across the border.” Despite Pakistan's provocation through diplomatic lapses and border clashes, India has show great restraint. She has not taken any direct action against the Pakistan government s atrocity and brutality, but has been approaching world powers to intervene and creation conditions in East Pakistan so as to enable the refugees to return to their homes.
XIII. The Position of Bangladesh.
The independent Republic of Bangladesh as proclaimed by the Awami League leaders has not so far been recognized by any country. There is however no doubt that the provisional government of Bangladesh commands support, confidence and allegiance of 98 percent of 75 million people of East Pakistan. The last election provided this and the recent barbarous attacks on the people of Bangladesh by the West Pakistan troops has helped to establish this. The question of recognizing Bangladesh within the framework Pakistan or as an Independent State should be given immediate consideration by the free world. Its provisional government must be consulted in any efforts to solve the problem of East Pakistan. It may be mentioned that Bangladesh (East Pakistan) has a population of 75 million which is larger than the combined population of (a) Australia (12.3 million). New Zealand (2.8 million), Philippines (37.2 million), Malaysia (10.6 million) and
