U.K. National Archives

The Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary said that the Pakistani Army seemed now to be in control' of most of the East Wing of Pakistan: but reports suggested that there might still be some resistance in the most easterly area of the Wing. The Government were sending more troops to the East Wing; but their lines of communication were becoming increasingly difficult. The independence of the so-called State of Bangla Desh had been proclaimed in a village near the Indian border; and it must be assumed that the Government of India were privy to the plan to make the proclamation and might be tempted to recognise the new State The situation continued to be very confused; and hideous atrocities were being committed on boths sides. Nevertheless. it
would be legitimate for us to continue to take the line that the Government of Pakistan were in generally effective control of the territory; and there could be no question of our considering recognition of Bangla Desh at this stage.
In a brief discussion it was suggested that some Members of Parliament might be critical of the attitude adopted by the Government towards developments in Pakistan and that the forthcoming arrival of a Pakistani cricket team might further stimulate such criticism.

The Prime Minister, summing up the discussion, said that the situation would have to be kept under close review but that it would be preferable for Ministers not to make any public statements relating to the tour of the cricket team at this stage.

The Cabinet-
1. Took note of the statement by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary and of the Prime Minister's summing up of their discussion.