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SV Helicopter arrives with Mrs. Gandhi & Sheikh Mujib, Ministers wait to greet them (2 shots)
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LV Mrs. Gandhi out of helicopter & greeted by waiting Ministers. Both leaders wave
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CU Troops
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SV The two leaders garlanded (2 shots)
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LV Crowd
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SV Two leaders into car--car and troop escort depart
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GV River with boats sounding horns
1.10

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SV Mrs. Gandhi greeted at harbour and boards steamer
1.28

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SV Crowds waving from riverbank.
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SV Mrs. Gandhi and Sheikh Mujib on deck
1.39

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SV Gangway removed
1.42

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SV Two leaders wave to crowds as steamer leaves (2 shots)
1.54

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SV Crowd on riverbank
1.57

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GV Steamer away sounding horn.
2.03



Initials BB/0211 WLW/AW/BB/0231



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Indian Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Bangladesh Premier Sheikh Mujibur Rahman went on a six-hour river-boat cruise near Dacca on Saturday (March 18) for talks which led to Sunday's (March 19) wide-ranging treaty between their two countries. They were accompanied by their foreign ministers and top officials. Mrs. Gandhi was on a two-day official visit to Bangladesh, and left on Sunday after initialling the treaty with Sheikh Mujib.

The treaty covers peace, friendship and co-operation between the two countries, and provides for each to "take appropriate effective measures" in event of an attack on the other. It went into effect immediately.

SYNOPSIS: In Bangladesh on Saturday, during her two-day official visit there, Indian Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi went for a six-hour river-boat cruise with Bengali Premier Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for talks which eventually led to Sunday's treaty-signing between the two leaders. They flow by helicopter from Dacca, the capital, to board the launch with their foreign ministers and a team of top officials. A small but enthusiastic crowd of Bengalis greeted the two leaders and welcomed them in the traditional manner.

After a short drive to the boat at a point on the River Sitalaksha, near Dacca, Mrs. Gandhi and Sheikh Mujib were again welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd of admirers. For, as one Bengali in the crowd told reporters, "we have them both to thank for our freedom". Recently, Indian troops finally withdraw from Bangladesh were they had been stationed since helping the country win its independence from Pakistan during the war late last year.

On Sunday, following their six-hour talks on board the launch "Investigator", Mrs. Gandhi and Sheikh Mujib initialled the wide-ranging treaty covering friendship, co-operation and defence. The treaty, which went into effect immediately, provided for each country to take what it called "appropriate effective measures" in case of an attack or threat on either country. The clause was similar to one in the Indo-Soviet treaty signed last year.