NEW DELHI.-Indian Prime Minister India Gandhi called for international assistance today in caring for 2.8 million refugees who have fled to India from East Pakistan since civil war broke out there nearly two months ago, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. At the same time, the official Radio Pakistan reported a Communist Chinese plane arrived in Dacca from Peking carrying a cargo of powdered milk for relief of East Pakistan.

Fighting erupted March 26 when the federal government sent troops to put down the secessionist revolt in the East, separated from the western half by 1,000 miles of Indian territory.

PTI said Mrs. Gandhi concluded a two-day tour of several or the 328 government refugee camps near the East Pakistani border. in an open air address to refugees in Haldibari West Bengal, she said events in East Pakistan have [become a problem for India and have assumed the proportions of an international affair because of the influx of refugees.

About half the refugees have been living in the camps while others have pushed into the Indian interior in search of food and jobs

She bold the refugees India could tackle the problem to a limited extent but called for international assistance to care for the evacuees from East Pakistan, PTI said. Mrs. Gandhi later told a press conference in Haldibari the question of recognizing the rebel Bangla Desh, or Bengal land, is under the governments examination, PTI said.

Asked if the government was awaiting a response from other nations before extending diplomatic recognition to the rebel government, Mrs. Gandhi replied, No, India will take its decision independently, PTI said.