Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India said, yesterday that the flow of refugees from East Pakistan had resulted in a “terrific, burden” on India and posed “a real threat to our political stability and even our independence.”

Speaking extemporaneously before an audience of 400 at Columbia University's School of International Affairs, Mrs. Gandhi warned that “the limits of [India's] endurance had been reached.”

According to India, more than 9 million refugees have poured across her borders since March 25 after the Pakistani President, Agha Mohammad Yahya Khan, ordered his army to suppress a widespread movement for political autonomy, in East Pakistan.

Troops Massed on Border

In the ensuing months, India and Pakistan have massed troops on their borders, and there have been incidents, particular! along the eastern frontier.

“India is determined to safeguard her interests, India is united as never before,” said Mrs. Gandhi. “We want your help. We want your support. We want your sympathy. But India is prepared, to fight alone for what it thinks is worth fighting for.”

The Prime Minister said that the upheaval in East Pakistan had not been caused by “an insurrection,” but was the result of a “free election” carried out “under the military leadership of Pakistan.”

She said that the threat of war had not come about as result of “our [Indian and Pakistani] forces facing each other on our borders,” but “because of what is happening in East Bengal.”

Mrs. Gandhi, who was ending a four‐day state visit to this country and leaves for Paris at 8:30 this morning, called the mandate received by Sheik Mujibur Rahman, leader of Bangla Desh—the East Pakistani independence movement —“overwhelming.” She said, “Although people have congratulated me on my majority in my last election, it was nothing compared to Sheik Mujib's victory in East Pakistan.”

Sheik Mujib was arrested during the early stages of the Pakistani army's drive and has been on trial on charges of treason.

Before delivering her speech, Mrs. Gandhi greeted a group of 50 pro‐Indian supporters of Bangla Desk who had gathered at the entrance of the school building at 118th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.

They responded with cries of “Jai Hind!” (Victory to India) and “Indira Gandhi. Zindabad!” (Long Live Indira Gandhi). The Prime Minister smiled and waved her hand.

Mrs. Gandhi's day in New York began when her chartered Air‐India Boeing‐707 jet arrived at Kennedy Airport from Washington at 10:12 A.M.

The Prime Minister, wearing a yellow and orange patterned sari and a black cape, was met by Samar Sen, India's delegate to the United Nations, and 40 other Indians as she stepped off the plane.

When Mrs. Gandhi arrived at the Hotel Carlyle, on 76th Street and Madison Avenue, shortly before 11 A.M., she was confronted by about 30 demonstrators across the street from the hotel's side entrance. They carried picket signs and Paki stani flags.

As she emerged from her limousine, the Prime Minister, apparently mistaking the crowd for sympathizers, smiled and waved at them. They responded by chanting “Long live Pakistan! Down with India!” as she entered the hotel.

Pakistanis Protest

A spokesman for the demonstrators, Siraj Chou Dhury, a short, dark, white‐haired man who said he was president of the Pakistan Cultural Association, asserted that his group consisted of “Pakistani students and businessmen living in New York who have strong feelings for the integrity of Pakistan.'”

Mr. Dhury, who described himself as a Moslem from East Pakistan, said the demonstrators were protesting “India's exploitation of East Pakistan.”

The demonstrators resumed their chants when Mrs. Gandhi emerged from the hotel and stepped into her limousine, en route to Rockefeller Center for a taped interview on the National Broadcasting Company's television program, “Meet the Press.”

Mrs. Gandhi's arrival at the studio was delayed a half hour when she stopped for an impromptu shopping tour at Saks Fifth Avenue.

An Indian spokesman in front of the studio at 30 Rockefeller Plaza explained that Mrs. Gandhi would not otherwise have a chance to do any shopping during her four‐day visit to the United States, and that she wanted to “buy something for her daughter‐in‐law.” He added that Mrs. Gandhi “is an independent woman‐‐that she is.”

The Prime Minister arrived at the studio at 11:55 A.M., after walking the last block because a Sixth Avenue antiwar demonstration snarled traffic in front of the N.B.C. building.

A Saks saleswoman who attended Mrs. Gandhi described her as a “polite and easy client.”

6 Robes in 20 Minutes

She said that the Prime Minister bought four flowered, pastel ‐ colored chiffon hostess robes and two lounging robes in 20 minutes after “trying them on herself.” One of Mrs. Gandhi's aides paid.

Mrs. Gandhi also expressed a wish to buy a present for her grandson, but was told by an Indian official that there was no time, according to the saleswoman.

After the interview taping, the Prime Minister was driven to The New York Times building at 229 Weet 43d Street for a luncheon with the editors. She ended her official day with the speech at Columbia University.