Delhi, Aug 11.—The Soviet Union and India said tonight that they considered urgent steps were necessary to achieve a political solution to the problems of East Pakistan and that there could be no military solution.

Their views were expressed in a joint statement issued here at the conclusion of three days of talks between Mr Gromyko, Soviet Foreign Minister, and Mr Swaran Singh, his Indian counterpart, during which a treaty of “peace, friendship and cooperation” was signed.

The statement said Mr Swaran Singh had explained the heavy burden placed on Indian resources by the influx of East Pakistani refugees.

It continued: “Both sides, after a detailed discussion, reiterated their firm conviction that there can be no military solution and considered it necessary that urgent steps be taken in East Pakistan for the achievement of a political solution and for the creation of conditions of safety for the return of the refugee to their homes which alone would answer the interests of the entire people of Pakistan and the cause of the preservation of peace in the area.

“The Indian side expressed its gratitude for the understanding of the problem shown by the Soviet Union.”—Reuter.

Karachi. Aug 11.—The Indo-Soviet friendship treaty was described today as “ a pact of aggression against Pakistan and China" by Mr Z. A. Bhutto, leader of the Pakistan People’s Party.

The Government-owned Pakistan Times, which is often used to reflect the military regime's views, said: “The treaty amounts to a deliberate move to create a situation in which India may feel free to attack Pakistan with the assurance that the Soviet commitment to aid India would provide a deterrent to Chinese intervention on our behalf.”

David Bonavia writes from Moscow: Pravda said today that the treaty with India “is not aimed at any third party”, but would raise Soviet-Indian relations to “a higher stage of fruitful cooperation”.

The Soviet Union had helped India to overcome “the severe results of the colonial past”, the front-page leading article said.

Calcutta, Aug 11.—Thousands of East Pakistan refugees, chanting “Long live Kennedy” and Mukti chai (we want freedom), turned out in heavy rain today to welcome Senator Edward Kennedy when he visited refugee camps and hospitals in the Kalyani district, about 40 miles from Calcutta.

The senator, whose planned visit to Pakistan has been cancelled by the Pakistan Government, was drenched to the skin. Time and time again he saw children, suffering from malnutrition, lying on a bed or floor too weak to move.— Reuter.