Skip to content

May 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 — May 1966

Diary Entries

Monday, May 2, 1966

7:00 PM
Cocktails & film show by The Ambassador of Czechoslovakia at 25, Aurangzeb Road.
1:00 PM
: Lunch at 29, Pashupati Raj hosted by Ambassador of Ethiopia to say good bye to Nigerian High Commissioner's.
7:00 PM
Reception by the Consul General of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam to celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam at 64, Japhleti. 13:15 hours - 1:15 pm - Luncheon at my residence in honour of Ex-Syid Nizamet Fayez.

Wednesday, May 4, 1966

12:00 AM
________ ________
12:00 AM
2160 hours - To go to Palam Airport for the Departure of The Prime Minister of Singapore.
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
reception in honour of Mrs. Azhara Fatima by the Prime Minister of Singapore at the Gokulok Hotel.

Monday, May 9, 1966

12:00 AM
7:00 & 9:00 p.m.: Reception by the Czechoslovakian Ambassador on the occasion of the Anniversary of the Liberation of Czechoslovakia, at 25, Aurangzeb Road!

Thursday, May 12, 1966

11:00 AM
: Finland Ambassador is paying his return Courley visit

Friday, May 20, 1966

7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
7-8.30 pm : To attend a Cocktail party given by the Pakistan High Commissioner, to bid farewell to the Deputy High Commissioner, at Pakistan House.
8:30 PM
: To attend a Cocktail given by the Ethiopian Ambassador, to meet the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Delegation.

Saturday, May 21, 1966

7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
7-8.30 pm : To attend a cocktail by the Ceylon High Commissioner to bid farewell to Deputy High Commissioner.
8:30 PM
: H.E. to get a dinner given by the Malaysian High Commissioner at Oberoi Hotel (Formal)

Tuesday, May 24, 1966

7:30 PM
: To celebrate the Day of Bulgarian Enlightenment, Culture and Slaw Literature, H.E. to attend the reception at 36, Paltonde Road.
3:00 PM
: : To call on Minister Subramaniam at his office Krishi Bhawan

Wednesday, May 25, 1966

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
-9.00 p.m. : : to attend a reception given by the Ambassador of Jordan on the occasion of their Independence Day.

Saturday, May 28, 1966

7:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- 9.30 p.m. : To attend a reception given by the Ambassador of Afghanistan, to celebrate the National Day.

Monday, May 30, 1966

7:00 PM
: Reception by the Burmese Ambassadors at 24, Akbar Road To say good-bye to the Amb. of Austria
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Reception by the Ambassador of Turkey to celebrate the Army Day at 22, Pritvi Raj Road. Before 12.00 noon H.E. M. Parn Bhatia (India High Commissioner for Kenya) to call at 42 Golf Link.

Tuesday, May 31, 1966

6:30 PM
: The Commonwealth Club of India inviting at Nigerian Evening at Y.M.C.A. Tourist Hotel Jai Singh Road, New Delhi 12:15 To pay the Return Courtesy call on the Netherlands Ambassador at 10, Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Reception by the High Commissioner of Malaysia on the occasion of the Anniversary of Malaysia's Day at Hotel Oberoi, New Delhi. 17:26 hours (5:26 p.m.) to go to Palam to receive Sqy. of Mohammed Fayez.
7:00 PM
Fun. Cocktail by (The G.D.R. at 21, Kaulalya Marg) (Appolozised)
8:30 PM
Buffet by the Charge d'Affaires of Cuba SEPTEMBER 1966

Sunday, May 1, 1966

8:30 PM
: Dinner at the residence of Indian Ambassador by the African Heads of Mission in India To bid farewell to His Excellencies the Nigerian and Ghana High Commissioners.
12:00 AM
Singapore Prime Minister's arrival at 3355 hours (to be clawed at airport) Buffet
8:30 PM
Dinner by the U.A.R. Ambassador in honour of H.E. Mr. M. Farouk Head of the U.A.R. President Bureau for Arab-African Affairs at 28-A, Pritvi Raj Rd.
8:45 AM
- To Palam Airport to receive High Commissioner (designate) for Ghana.

Sunday, May 29, 1966

7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Reception by the High Commissioner for Ceylon to meet the Deputy High Commissioner & Mrs. Medin. 28/39, Kaulalya Marg, New Delhi.
4:30 PM
- Appt. with Dr. Sandhu.

Tuesday, May 3, 1966

10:45 AM
- Appt. with Dr. Sandhu.
5:00 PM
Civic Reception by the Mayor & Municipalities of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi in honour of H.E. Kisar New at 5, Lee Kuan Yew at Dwarka - 2-A, New Delhi.