PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS P. M. No. 7/ 1966
DEATH OF THE PRIE, MINISTER OF INDIA
Statement by the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies
I have learned with shock and deep regret of the
death today of Lal Bahadur Shastri, the Prime Minister of
India. He took office at a testing time, having to succeed
the late Jawaharlal Nehru who had been Prime Minister for a
long while and had made a particular place for himself in
Indian and international affairs. Lal Bahadur Shastri
established himself as a leader in his own right, and in his
all too brief period as Prime Minister he had to grapple with
many acute problems, some involving the international relations
and security of his country, and some the continued economic
and social progress of India. At the time of his death he
had just concluded negotiations with the President of Pakistan
designed to ease the tension between the two countries and to
open the way to further agreement. In domestic affairs, his
government was faced with a most severe drought and the great
shortage of food which had resulted.
I was in touch with Lal Bahadur Shastri at various
times during his term as Prime Minister, and I had the great
pleasure of meeting him and working with him in London at the
Commonwealth Prime MIinisters' meeting last year. I had the
most cordial relations with him throughout his term. Like all
the people of Australia, I deeply regret his passing and
express my sympathies for his family and all the people of
India.
CANBERRA, 11th January, 1966.