SIMLA: President Bhutto and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had their first round of real talks this evening [June 30] with just the two of them present, without aides. Generally interpreted as a green signal for the real summit, the meeting held at the Governor’s House lasted about 45 minutes. Approached by newsmen after the meeting, President Bhutto said: “We discussed our problems. We will meet again.” He did not say when. As Mrs Gandhi greeted President Bhutto when he arrived at the Governor’s residence, a correspondent asked her whether the talks were progressing well. “I think so,” she replied. Mr Bhutto said, “the talks are going well and I am feeling fine.”

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies in Washington,] President Richard Nixon last night [June 29] announced that the United States would return to the Vietnam peace talks on July 13, but warned that the bombing of North Vietnam would continue. … [T]he President said the bombing and the sea blockade of the North [Korea] would go on until Hanoi had agreed to an Indo-China ceasefire and the release of all American prisoners.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2022