UNITED NATIONS, N. Y. Dec. 22 — Foreign Minister Swaran Singh of India called today for immediate negotiation between India and Pakistan and made it clear that his Government, though pressing for the release of Sheik Mujibur Rahman, did not make this a precondition to the opening of talks.

Speaking at a news conference before departing for New Delhi, Mr. Swaran Singh called on the international community to recognize “the reality of Bangladesh.” The sooner that was done, he said, the sooner it would be possible for Indian troops to be withdrawn from East Pakistan, which Bengali insurgents have proclaimed the independent country of Bangladesh (Bengal Nation).

Asked about India's strained relations with Washington, Mr. Swaran Singh said quietly but with great emphasis that Washington should realize that India was a “mature and large country” that was not dependent on foreign aid and not afraid at the “irritation” displayed by others.

Territorial Ambitions Denied

Mr. Swaran Singh declined to give a timetable for the withdrawal of Indian troops from East Pakistan but reiterated earlier statements that India had no territorial ambitions there and would withdraw as soon as possible. For the moment, he said, the presence of Indian troops was needed to protect the Pakistani forces that had surrendered and to prevent reprisals.

He predicted that Zulfikar All Bhutto, the new Pakistani President, would make a number of quick political moves that were likely to lead to the release of Sheik Mujib.

The Sheik, who is the leader of the Awami League, which won all but two of the 169 East Pakistani seats in the December, 1970, election, was transferred from prison to house arrest yesterday, according to reports from Rawalpindi.
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Mr. Swaran Singh made it clear that he thought Mr. Bhutto had no choice but to negotiate with Sheik Mujib. The sooner this happened, he said, the sooner there would be a return to normalcy in Bangladesh.