letter from the Acting President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Syed Nazrul Islam to the President of India, seeking Indian recognition of Bangladesh.

Mujib Nagar, April 24, 1971

Excellency,

Upon the proclamation of the sovereign, independent People’s Republic of Bangladesh on March 26, 1971, a Government with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as its head has been established.

A copy of the Proclamation of Independence, Laws Continuance Enforcement Order and a list of Cabinet Members are enclosed and marked with letters `A’¹ `B’ and `C’ respectively for favour of your perusal.

The Government of Bangladesh is exercising full sovereignty and lawful authority within the territories known as East Pakistan prior to March 26, 1971, and has taken all appropriate measures to conduct the business of State in accordance with custom, usage and recognised principles of International law.

In view of the friendly relations that traditionally exist between the fraternal peoples of Bangladesh and that of India, I request Your Excellency’s Government to accord immediate recognition to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The Government of Bangladesh will be pleased to establish normal diplomatic relations and exchange envoys with a view to further strengthening the ties of friendship between our two countries.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration.

(Sd.)
Syed Nazrul Islam 
Acting President
(Seal of the Bangladesh Government)

(Sd.)
Khandakar Mostaque Ahmed,
Foreign Minister

*****

Enclosure-A
THE PROCLAMATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Mujib Nagar, Bangladesh
Dated 10th day of April, 1971

WHEREAS free elections were held in Bangladesh from 7th December, 1970, to 17th January, 1971, to elect representatives for the purpose of framing a Constitution,
and WHEREAS at these elections the people of Bangladesh elected 167 out of 169 representatives belonging to the Awami League, and WHEREAS General Yahya Khan summoned the elected representatives of the people to meet on the 3rd March, 1971, for the purpose of framing a Constitution, and WHEREAS the Assembly so summoned was arbitrarily and illegally postponed for indefinite period,

WHEREAS instead of fulfilling their promise and while still conferring with the representatives of the people of Bangladesh, Pakistan authorities declared an unjust and treacherous war, and WHEREAS in the facts and circumstances of such treacherous conduct Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the undisputed leader of 75 million of people of Bangladesh, in due fulfillment of the legitimate right of self-determination of the people of Bangladesh, duly made a declaration of independence at Dacca on March 26, 1971 and urged the people of Bangladesh to defend the honour and integrity of Bangladesh,

WHEREAS in the conduct of a ruthless and savage war, the Pakistani authorities committed and are still continuously committing numerous acts of genocide and unprecedented tortures, amongst others on the civilian and unarmed people of Bangladesh, and WHEREAS the Pakistan Government by levying an unjust war and committing genocide and by other repressive measures made it impossible for the elected representatives of the people of Bangladesh to meet and frame a Constitution, and give to themselves a Government, 

WHEREAS the people of Bangladesh by their heroism, bravery and revolutionary fervour have established effective control over the territories of Bangladesh.

We, the elected representatives of the people of Bangladesh, as honour-bound by the mandate given to us by the people of Bangladesh, whose Will is supreme, duly constituted ourselves into a Constituent Assembly, and having held mutual consultations, and in order to ensure for the people of Bangladesh equality, human dignity and social justice, declare and constitute Bangladesh to be sovereign People’s Republic and thereby confirm the declaration of independence already made by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and do hereby affirm and resolve that till such time as a Constitution is framed, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman shall be the President of the Republic and that Syed Nazrul Islam shall be the Vice-President of the Republic, and that the President shall be the Supreme Commander of all the Armed Forces of the Republic,shall exercise all the Executive and Legislative powers of the Republic including the power to grant pardon,shall have the power to appoint a Prime Minister and such other Ministers as he considers necessary, shall have the power to appoint a Prime Minister and such other Ministers as he considers necessary,shall have the power to levy taxes and expend monies, shall have the power to summon and adjourn the Constituent Assembly, and do all other things that may be necessary to give to the people of Bangladesh an orderly and just Government.

We, the elected representatives of the people of Bangladesh, do further resolve that in the event of there being no President or the President being unable to enter upon his office or being unable to exercise his powers and duties due to any reason whatsoever, the Vice-President shall have and exercise all the powers, duties and responsibilities herein conferred on the President.

We further resolve that we undertake to observe and give effect to all duties and obligations devolved upon us as a member of the family of nations and by the Charter of United Nations.

We further resolve that this proclamation of independence shall be deemed to have come into effect from 26th day of March, 1971.

We further resolve that in order to give effect to this instrument we appoint Prof. M. Yusuf Ali our duly constituted plenipotentiary and to give to the President and the Vice-President oaths of office.

(Sd.)
M. Yusuf Ali
Duly Constituted Plenipotentiary
By and under the authority of the 
Constituent Assembly of Bangladesh