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January 1966 · At the Edge of Tashkent

Editorial Introduction

In January 1966, New Delhi's diplomatic circuit moved in lockstep with high-stakes talks in Tashkent. As Tanzania's High Commissioner to India, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim recorded receptions, courtesy calls, and the solemn send-off for Prime Minister Shastri ahead of the negotiations. Days later, the Tashkent Declaration would end active hostilities—followed by Shastri's sudden passing, which reverberated across the region.

PDF — January 1966
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Diary Entries

Sunday, January 2, 1966

11:00 AM
Brunch by The H.C. for New Zealand at 56, A.F. New Delhi. 6:30 & 8:30 p.m. Reception by The Chargé d'Affaires of Cuba on the occasion of Cuban National Day at 40, Raffles Avenue Road, New Delhi.
8:00 PM
Dinner by Mr. X. Materia of the Ethiopian Ambassador H.E. Mr. X. Regina Baghdadi.
2:30 PM to 3:45 PM
To give a lecture on "Foreign Policy of India" at the Indian School, J. Inter- national Studies. cancelled Suggest another day.

Monday, January 3, 1966

6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Reception by the Ambassador of Sudan to celebrate the Independence Day of Sudan, New Delhi.
9:00 AM
To be at the airport to see off Premier Shastri on his way to Tashkent.

Tuesday, January 4, 1966

6:30 PM
Reception by the Ambassador of Burma on the occasion of the Eighteenth Anniversary of Burma's Independence at Burmese Embassy, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri.
4:00 PM
Reception by the Egyptian High Commission on the Anniversary of Egypt's Independence at 25/39, Kautilya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.
12:00 PM
. To call on the Kuwaiti Ambassador.

Wednesday, January 5, 1966

1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Cocktail by the Ceylon High Commissioners to meet Ambassador R.S.B. Gunawardena at 26/39, Kantilal Marg, New Delhi.
12:00 PM
: Mr. Ebrahim to call on the Lebanon Ambassador’s office at 22/24, Lodi Shell Marg.
12:00 PM
Reception by the New Zealand High Commissioner to celebrate New Zealand Day at 31, Off Kewal Park.

Thursday, January 6, 1966

6:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Reception by the Military Attaché of the Republic of India to celebrate the 45th Anniversary of the Republic of Ceylon at Claridges Hotel.
9:30 AM
Inauguration of the Sixth Plenary Session of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations at Vigyan Bhawan, Maulana Azad Road, New Delhi.
11:15 AM
Mrs. Raina to call on the German Ambassador at her residence No. 61, Shanti Pat, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.
12:30 PM
Mr. Saman, Chairman of the United Spices Ltd., to have drinks at my residence.

Friday, January 7, 1966

11:00 AM
Mr. Jagansal to call at 48, Golf Links.
12:00 AM
6:30 - Talk with Mr. El Yasser to cancel my residence for Delhi.

Sunday, January 9, 1966

10:00 AM
Appointment with the Minister of Commerce & Tin Maestro Shah at his residence.
4:00 PM
To attend Baptizing of Kamala's daughter at the Redemption Church - West Zamrudpur Shah - Church.
6:00 PM
Inauguration of an exhibition of paintings at Ajad Bhawan, Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi.

Monday, January 10, 1966

11:30 AM
Courtesy Call on the Iran Ambassador and his wife at their residence, 5 Barakhamba Road, New Delhi.
8:00 PM
Dinner by the Mongolian Ambassador at the Embassy, 51, Panch Sheel Marg, Chankayapur, New Delhi.
5:00 PM
Suit ready at my residence.
10:30 AM
- To go to Palam Airport on the arrival of H.E. the President of Yugoslavia.
12:00 PM
- To call on the Finland Ambassador at 43-A, Puthujiraj Road New Delhi.
5:00 PM
National Convention on “Peace in Vietnam" at Kapurthala.

Tuesday, January 11, 1966

11:00 AM
The Peru Ambassador to call at 48, Golf Links, New Delhi.
10:30 AM
Mrs. Salim to call on Mrs. Ahmadija at 12, Lothian Crescent.
1:30 AM
Herbert Time Premier Station died,
9:31 PM
Delhi and his body will arrive in New Delhi - Palam Airport.
4:30 PM
Reception by the Danish Ambassador to celebrate the National Day at 7, Tees January Marg, New Delhi. The Rodotelx Civil.
8:15 PM
Banquet lay the President of Yugoslavia in honour of H.E. Mrs. Indira Gandhi at the Banquet Hall, Ashoka Hotel New Delhi.
11:30 AM
To call on the New Zealand High Commissioner.
12:30 PM
U.S. Ambassador & to call at 12, Golf Hotel.

Wednesday, January 12, 1966

11:00 AM
Mrs. Salim to call on the Nepalese Ambassador.
9:30 AM
Nepalese Commences at 10 Janpath, Dowa CREMATION,
10:00 AM
Inauguration of the 27th Annual Session of the Federation at Vigyan Bhawan, Maulana Azad Road, New Delhi.
5:30 PM
To call on Mrs. Kirtibaks (President, Federation of Indian Women).

Saturday, January 15, 1966

8:30 PM
Dinner by the Syrian Ambassador in honour of H.E. Mr. C. D. Jha & Mrs. Jha at 10, Panch Sheel Marg, Chankayapur, New Delhi. (Cancelled)

Wednesday, January 19, 1966

11:00 AM
- Meeting with African Heads Ghanaian Acting Official Residence of the Moroccan Ambassadors.
12:00 AM
N A N (One Night) INDORE ↓ POONA (One Night) at 60 days. (Families) Hyderabad (3-5 Days) (Salatirang Palace Sikandarabad Club (Nizami & Hyderabad) Port & Dock und. Nirmal Identity Bagaira Halls

Saturday, January 22, 1966

12:00 AM
( ) p.m. - ( )
12:00 AM
Coimbatore via Kalpetta Mangalore via Cochin Trivandrum ↓ CAPE COMORIN ↓ RATESHRAJ ↓ Madurai ↓ Raja Balipuram, Madras (Gandhi Club)

Sunday, January 23, 1966

4:00 PM
Tea by the President at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
1:00 AM
G.R. Santosh opening at the Kumar Gallery, 11, Sundar Nagar Market, New Delhi.

Monday, January 24, 1966

12:00 AM
Id. Holiday
10:00 AM
Inauguration of the National Exhibition of Art, 1966 at the Lalit Kala Gallery, Rajendra Bhavan, New Delhi.

Tuesday, January 25, 1966

12:00 AM
Id. Holiday
1:00 PM
To see off the Ethiopian Ambassador at Palam Airport. -

Wednesday, January 26, 1966

8:30 AM
Republic Day Parade at Rajpath
3:15 PM
The President at Home, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Ashoka Hall.

Thursday, January 27, 1966

8:30 PM
- Dinner by the Commerce Minister for the Ambassadors Shah in honour of the A. N. R. Barto & members of the Tanzanian delegation.

Friday, January 28, 1966

6:30 PM
"Festival of Folk Dances" at the National Stadium (tickets already purchased) - Reception for Commerce delegation (Provisional)

Saturday, January 29, 1966

12:00 AM
Republic Day Celebrations at Vijay Chowk.

Saturday, January 8, 1966

12:00 AM
6:00 & 8:30 p.m. Reception by the Ambassador of Syria at 10, Janpath Hotel, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.
5:35 PM
Installation & unveiling of Mr. Gourind Ballabh Pant at Raisina Road, near that Bhawan, New Delhi.
1:30 PM
- To attend at a luncheon given by the Minister of External Affairs in honour of Hon’ble El Haji A.B. N’giere Minister of External Affairs Gambia at Ashoka Hotel.

Thursday, January 13, 1966

12:00 AM
H.E. is to attend at a luncheon at the India High in honour of the Speakers of both Houses at 24, Immauggulal New Delhi.

Thursday, January 20, 1966

12:00 AM
Bangalore

Friday, January 21, 1966

12:00 AM
Mysore (to stay in Krishna Sagal Hotel) Uti Kanwad (if not too cold) (Wellington Staff A. College, Coond) COIMBATORE (Kovai)