Mr. Apa Pant, the Indian High Commissioner, and General Mohammad Yousuf, the Pakistan High Commissioner, both saw Sir Alec Douglas- Home, the Foreign Secretary, yesterday at Sir Alec’s request. It is assumed that he spoke to each on the lines of a statement made later by a Foreign Office spokesman. This welcomed the cease-fire, and added: “We hope it will be possible to work for an enduring political settlement in the subcontinent which will satisfy the wishes of the peoples concerned. The British Government stand ready to help in bringing about this settlement and we are also giving urgent thought to the contribution which we, together with others, can make to alleviate the suffering and economic damage caused by the hostilities.”

Clearly the durability of a settlement will depend upon whether or not the Pakistanis are prepared to accept it as tolerable. The problem of relief will be discussed initially in the United Nations. The British Government, who have so far pledged some £14 m for the refugees, mainly to, India, have not been more specific about the relief which they will now provide. This is partly because they think it best to make their contribution with others, and partly because it is not known yet where the relief should be provided to the best purpose.

The main British aim is that there should be an orderly transfer of power to the next authority in East Pakistan without reprisals. British representatives will, therefore, cooperate in practical administrative matters with the Bangladeshi authorities, but formally will work through the Indians who are in military control. There will he no informal recognition of Bangladesh yet. Meanwhile the British Government are anxious, at a time when the West Pakistanis may well feel bitter and unsupported, to keep in close touch with them.

Soviet intentions in East Pakistan can now be gauged by the pronouncements of pro-Soviet Pakistan communists, who have been arguing that the Awami League needs “the help and cooperation of other democratic forces.” The Soviet Government will support the Awami League as the main element in the future government of East Pakistan. But it wants some Pakistan communists, who are reliably pro-Moscow, to become members of a new coalition. It may seek recognition of a new state in East Pakistan dependent upon the formation of a coalition to its liking.