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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.
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.
8:00 PM
Dinner by Mr. X. Materia of the Ethiopian Ambassador H.E. Mr. X. Regina Baghdadi.

Monday, January 3, 1966

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

Tuesday, January 4, 1966

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

Wednesday, January 5, 1966

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.
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.

Thursday, January 6, 1966

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.
2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Reception by the Military Attaché of the Republic of India to celebrate the 45th Anniversary of the Republic of Ceylon at Claridges Hotel.

Friday, January 7, 1966

11:00 AM
Mr. Jagansal to call at 48, Golf Links.
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

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

Tuesday, January 11, 1966

1:30 AM
Herbert Time Premier Station died,
10:30 AM
Mrs. Salim to call on Mrs. Ahmadija at 12, Lothian Crescent.
11:00 AM
The Peru Ambassador to call at 48, Golf Links, 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.
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.
9:31 PM
Delhi and his body will arrive in New Delhi - Palam Airport.

Wednesday, January 12, 1966

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.
11:00 AM
Mrs. Salim to call on the Nepalese Ambassador.
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.
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

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

Sunday, January 23, 1966

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

Monday, January 24, 1966

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

Tuesday, January 25, 1966

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

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

Republic Day Celebrations at Vijay Chowk.

Saturday, January 8, 1966

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.
5:35 PM
Installation & unveiling of Mr. Gourind Ballabh Pant at Raisina Road, near that Bhawan, New Delhi.
6:00 & 8:30 p.m. Reception by the Ambassador of Syria at 10, Janpath Hotel, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.

Thursday, January 13, 1966

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

Bangalore

Friday, January 21, 1966

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