There must be a swift and negotiated settlement between Pakistan and Bangla Desh, Mrs Indira Gandhi, the Indian Prime Minister, said last night in London.

The nine million refugees in India were being added to each day and these and the border problem were causing anxiety.

Speaking at an India League meeting at the Coliseum Theatre, she said the border situation tended to be considered as one solely of the nine million refugees. But the problem of Bangla Desh was far deeper than a matter of refugees. “Rarely has the world witnessed the sort of atrocities and barbarity which we hear daily from refugees that are coming in”.

Of the refugees she said that India had always opened its doors. But she added: “Now we cannot keep on doing this all the time.” To stop new refugees coming and then to start sending people back was not possible under present conditions.

“I do not think that any people or any government could have shown greater restraint than we have in the face of such tremendous provocation. But where has the restraint taken us? We have not got any nearer to stability. On the contrary, things are steadily getting worse.

“I feel that I am sitting on top of a volcano, and I honestly don’t know if it ss going to erupt.”

Calcutta. Oct 31.—The Hindustan Standard, of Calcutta, today reported that foreigners would no longer be permitted to go near the East Pakistan border without special Government permission. It said that all categories of foreigner, including journalists and relief workers, would be affected.— Reuter.