1.
GV Central Secretariat building
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2.
SV INT Mrs. Abdus Samad seated with Mrs. Gandhi talking (3 shots)
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GV Government building
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4.
LV INT Bangladesh Government officials seated at table for talks (2 shots)
0.43

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SV Mr. Dhar shakes hands with Bangladesh officials and sitting at table for talks (3 shots)
1.01

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GV President Giri's house
1.04

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SV INT President Girl enters room and embraces Mr. Samad, they sit for talks (4 shots)
1.38



Initials BB/0047 TA/AW/BB/0014



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A self-styled Bangladesh Government delegation--headed by Foreign Minister Abdus Samad--opened the first high-level talks with the Indian Government in New Delhi on Thursday (6 January) on what was officially described as the "whole spectrum of relations" between the two countries.

Mr. Samad held talks with Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for more than an hour. and only towards the end were aides called in. The subject of Thursday's talks were not revealed to newsmen, but Mr. Samad had stated in Dacca a day earlier that he wanted to discuss the question of the release of the East Pakistani breakaway political leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

SYNOPSIS: In New Delhi on Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi held her first official high-level talks with the Foreign Minister of the self-styled Bangladesh Government, Mr. Abdus Samad. It was during the talks that Mrs. Gandhi announced that she had accepted an invitation to visit East Pakistan--although no firm date has been set yet.

Later in the day, teams of Indian and East Pakistani officials met for what was described as exploratory discussions. spokesmen later told newsmen that the main topic had been likely to center around the release and return of the Awami League leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Bangladesh officials were later joined by Mr. Durga Prasad Dhar, India's top Foreign Ministry official specialising in affairs concerning East Pakistan. According to spokesmen, the talks were held in cordial atmosphere, and there was no difference of opinion on any subject.

At President Giri's residence, Mr, Samad was introduced to the Indian Head of State. Political observers have speculated that the East Pakistani Foreign Minister discussed long-term defence cooperation between India and his country. Informed sources have already said that India has offered assistance to build the East Pakistani Armed Forces up to an efficient standard. On the domestic front, the question of the repatriation of refugees from India is believed to have been discussed between the Bangladesh delegation and Indian Government officials.