1971-08-16
By Associated Press
Page: 6
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 (AP) — Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States said today that he feared that India's new treaty with the Soviet Union would lead to an attack on his country. The Indian Ambassador said the pact was intended to deter war.
The diplomats appeared separately on two segments of a special, hour‐long version of ABC's television‐radio inter view program, Issues and Answers.
Ambassador Agha Hilaly of Pakistan said that India's 20‐ year‐old policy, of nonalignment had been torn to shreds by the treaty. The envoy, calling the pact a grand alliance, said that “we are afraid India may use this treaty to attack us. We are not going to attack India. But if attacked we shall have to defend ourselves.”
Ambassador Lakshmi Kant Jha of India said the treaty provided for consultation be tween India and the Soviet Union and there was no question of blind support by the Russians for India.
“Our real hope is that with Pakistan making so many war like noises, the fact there is this treaty would act as a deterrent,” he said.