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March 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 — March 1966

Diary Entries

Monday, March 14, 1966

10:30 AM
To call on Mr. Fischer of J.O.K. at 1, Kantilal Mag, Chanakya Puri, New Delhi.

Tuesday, March 15, 1966

10:00 AM
To call on the New Zealand High Commissioner at 34 Golf Links.
11:30 AM
Mr. Dass (Case Studies) to call at 12, Jeff Links.
12:00 PM
To call on Mr. K. H. P. Singh at the Ministry.
6:30 PM
To attend a programme of dances by Pierre Bodet at Ajad Bhawan, Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi.

Wednesday, March 16, 1966

7:00 PM
Reception by the Yugoslav Ambassador in honour of their Tanshildl at 3/500 S Chanakyapuri, Chanakya Puri, New Delhi.

Thursday, March 17, 1966

8:50 AM
To go to Palam Airport on the occasion of the departure of H.E. the Republic of Yugoslavia.
1:15 PM
To call on the U.S.S.R. Embassy, Chanakya Puri, New Delhi.
6:30 PM
Reception by the Ireland Ambassador at 56, Sudar Nagar, New Delhi.

Friday, March 18, 1966

10:30 AM
Reception by The Bank of India Manager at 56, Sudar Nagar.
11:00 AM
the Chinese Chargé dAffaires to call at 12, Golf Links.
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
-8:00 p.m. Reception by the U.S.S.R. Ambassador at Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.
8:00 PM
Dinner by Mr. & Mrs. Nigan (Saniti) to meet Shri Sachindra Chaudhury, Union Minister for Finance at 13, Lakatabganj Road, New Delhi-1.

Saturday, March 19, 1966

10:00 AM
To call on the Ethiopian Ambassador at 99, Printing Road. Dinner at Odell's.

Monday, March 21, 1966

10:00 AM
Mrs. Nigam to call at 42, Golf Links
11:00 AM
Czechoslovakia Ambassador to call at Golf Links
7:45 PM
32nd Session of the Commission at Vigyan Bhavan, Conference.

Tuesday, March 22, 1966

11:30 AM
To call on Dr. Rao (Brigadier Retd.) at Golf Marg, Shyam Shakti Bhavan 22/6, New Delhi.
6:30 PM
Reception by the Chief Representative of the League of Arab States to celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the Arab League at 37, Gordon Patel Rd, Chandragupt, New Delhi. 6:30 PM Cocktails by H.S. Chhalera
7:30 PM
Reception by the Swiss Ambassador at the Embassy, Nagraj Marg, Chanakyapuri.

Thursday, March 24, 1966

4:30 PM
Reception by the Bulgaria Ambassador at 36, Raisena Road.
6:00 PM
Dr. Wolfgang Kiesewetter, Deputy Min. Foreign Affairs, D.R. will speak on GDR & the United Nations at Sapru House.
7:00 PM
Reception by the Charge d'Affaires a.i. of Uruguay to bid farewell to the Charge d'Affaires of Madagascar at the Ashok Hotel.
8:30 PM
Dinner by Mr. Nulam Mohammad to bid farewell to Mr. Huxsingh.

Friday, March 25, 1966

6:30 PM
Political & Social Cinema – Inauguration by Sardar Woman Singh at Regal Cinema, New Delhi.
7:00 PM
Reception by Mr. & Mrs. Sticler (G.B.R.) at 3, Houndslow Road, New Delhi.
7:00 PM
Reception to honour the Pillars of D.R. at Bhatia House.
7:00 PM
Reception to Celebrate the Greek National Day at Azadpur.
7:30 PM
Dinner by the Charge d'Affaires of China at Jin Hoon
8:30 PM
Dinner by Mr. & Mrs. Dinesh Singh.

Saturday, March 26, 1966

6:30 PM
Reception by the Australian High Commissioner Ministers for External Affairs.
Dinner at 6:00 in the federal hall to be announced later.

Sunday, March 27, 1966

3:30 PM
Reception by Mr. & Mrs. Maung (Burma Embassy) at Nagraj Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.
7:00 PM
Reception by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Argentina at 33/18 Panchsheel Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.

Monday, March 28, 1966

4:30 PM
To call on the Home Minister Mr. J.F. Nanda at Parliament House Room No. 13.
6:00 PM
Inauguration of Paintings at Agra Bhawan, Shankar Market, New Delhi.
8:30 PM
Buffet Dinner by the Syrian Ambassador at Panch Shakti Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.
(Remind two letters from Dame) (Sent a litter with a charge of Rs 500/- to Anne)

Tuesday, March 29, 1966

6:20 PM
Inauguration of Paintings at the Dolorimental Art Gallery, New Delhi.
7:00 & 9:00 p.m. Cocktails at Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi.

Wednesday, March 30, 1966

11:00 AM
Meeting of the African Heads of Mission at the Ghana High Commission (New Delhi). 6:30 & 8:00 p.m. Reception at 21 Pandit Sheel Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. MARCH — APRIL 1966

Thursday, March 31, 1966

7:00 PM
Reception by Mr. & Mrs. Butt to welcome Jack Wood Langham, Director Peace/Cops/Washington at Hyderabad House, 1 Ashoka Road. 6:30 & 8:30 p.m. Reception by the Polish Ambassador & wife in honour of the M. W. Shankar Bhardawaj to mark the Polish Peoples Republic at 1, Panch Marg, New Delhi.
Toured College families, an (Address of P. G. Mukherji)

Tuesday, March 1, 1966

Reception by the French Ambassador at 16 Panch Marg, New Delhi.

Wednesday, March 2, 1966

6:30 PM
Reception by the Canadian High Commissioner & meet the Canadian National Defence College Group at 4, Arrangzoll Road.
8:30 PM
Dinner by the & Mrs. Adrain at 6, Sundar Nagar Market, New Delhi.

Thursday, March 3, 1966

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Reception for the High Commissioner for Pakistan to meet Mr. K.M. Kaiser, PPS at Pakistan Delegates Dine Face Conference at Pakistan House 84, Hardinge Avenue.