U.K. National Archives

Conclusions of a meeting of the Cabinet held at 10 Downing Street, on Thursday, 27 May, 1971 at 10.30 a.m.

Attendees: E Heath; R Maudling; A Barber; G Rippon; G Campbell; P Thomas; A Douglas-Home; W Whitelaw; M Thatcher; Jellicoe; J Prior; J Davies; C Chataway; M Macmillan; J Peyton; F Pym; P Bryan.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary said that although Press reports of major clashes between Indian and Pakistani forces on the East Pakistan borders should be treated with some reserve, the refugee problem was becoming increasingly grave. The Indian Prime Minister, Mrs. Gandhi. had claimed that there were now over 3 million refugees from East Pakistan in West Bengal. He had recently discussed the Pakistan relief problem with President Yahya Khan's economic adviser, Mr. M. M. Ahmad, and had emphasised that the prerequisites of any effective relief effort were the prospect of a political solution and a concerted relief plan promoted by international agencies. On the first point he had been given to understand that President Yahya Khan was expecting to start discussions with the political spokesmen of East Pakistan during the next two weeks, which it was hoped would lead towards a political settlement. On the second point he had agreed with Mr. Ahmad that there was an urgent need to deploy a United Nations team in the area to assess relief requirements. Political stability in East Pakistan was also the key to the West Bengal refugee problem. Nearly all the refugees were Hindus; and the flow to West Bengal would nor be reversed until the fear of persecution had subsided.

There was considerable concern in this country about the plight of the refugees. We had made an initial contribution of £1 million for their relief; but, although further demands might he made on us, it would be undesirable to commit ourselves to any additional contribution pending the response of other countries to the appeal which was being organised by the United Nations Secretary-General. Any criticism of our attitude could reasonably be countered on the lines that action lay with the United Nations, whose efforts we would whole-heartedly support.