Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's speech at the Royal Institute of International Affairs,London

October 28, 1971

Following is an extract of the speech:

....We believe in and have strictly adhered to the principle of non-interference. But can this be one-sided? Today, there is interference in our affairs and the stability and progress of our country are gravely threatened. As a result of the tragic events in East Bengal, 9,000,000 people have poured into our territory, creating a situation which seems to surpass the convulsions of partition. The crisis in Pakistan is a deep one and the spectre which haunts that unhappy country cannot be exercised by the usual recourse to blaming India. Two questions arise: first, whether religion by itself can form the basis of a nation state, especially when the state machinery is impervious to the ordinary laws of political development and cultural aspirations, and secondly, whether some action other than that of the bayonet is not necessary to win loyalty. We in India are restrained and calm in the face of provocation but we are bound to protect the interests of our country....

Source: Bangladesh Documents, vol – II, p.257