MOSCOW: Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the Chairman of the USSR Council of Ministers, Mr Alexei Kosygin, last night [Oct 24] expressed satisfaction with the development of ties between the two countries and expressed [a] mutual wish to bring them to a higher plane. Speaking at a banquet hosted in his honour by the Soviet Government, [Mr] Bhutto said: “We seek to promote peaceful and friendly relations with all countries, particularly our neighbours. …” The Soviet Premier … said the USSR wished to see normalisation … between … Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

[Meanwhile earlier] Mr … Bhutto was warmly received by … Mr Alexei Kosygin at Moscow’s VIP airport. … The airport was bedecked with Pakistan and Soviet flags and large banners inscribed with welcome slogans in Russian and also in Urdu saying “Wazir Azam Bhutto Kush Amdid”. … Miss Benazir Bhutto, the Prime Minister’s daughter … was presented bouquets of red roses by Soviet women. … A large number of Soviet citizens were present … to welcome Mr Bhutto. Pakistani students studying in Moscow had also come to welcome the Prime Minister.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2024