[Letter to Sardar Swaran Singh]

Summary

This one-page English letter, dated November 17, 1964, from Dahyabhai Vallabhbhai Patel, M.P., to Sardar Swaran Singh, Minister for External Affairs, protests Singh’s failure to respond to earlier communications concerning Patel’s delegation. Patel says that Singh’s last-minute actions created avoidable difficulties, despite prior telephone and written discussions and clearance from the Government of India’s External Affairs authorities.

Patel argues that the delegation’s arrangements—including the required papers, official clearance, and foreign exchange—had already taken substantial time and effort. He attributes the resulting inconvenience to Singh and asks him to explain his conduct, concluding that at minimum he should apologise to Patel and his colleagues.

Key points

• The letter is dated November 17, 1964, and is written from Bombay on Dahyabhai Vallabhbhai Patel’s M.P. letterhead.
• Patel complains that Sardar Swaran Singh did not reply to his telegram, letter, or telephone communication.
• The dispute concerns arrangements for a delegation and Singh’s intervention at the last minute.
• Patel says official clearance, papers, and foreign exchange had already been secured for the visit.
• The letter invokes the Government of India’s policy as previously explained by Patel while he was in Taiwan.
• Patel holds Singh responsible for inconveniencing the delegation and demands an explanation and apology.