167 WHILE India is confronted with a grave situation created by the endless stream of Bangla Desh refugees, almost all foreign powers are leaning backwards on the issue of extending aid to the distressed millions and bringing pressure on Pakistan for an early settlement. To expose the atrocities in Bangla Desh and stir the world conscience in the name of humanity. Mr. Jayaprakash Narayan, the Sarvodaya leader, is currently on a world tour. But the response to his appeal has been far from encouraging. The fear that disintegration of Pakistan adversely affects their interests has deterred these powers from offering assistance to the people of Bangla Desh. To that extent, Pakistan may be said to have won the first round of the undeclared war against India. Apart from President Tito, no leader of any eminence has gone beyond giving Mr. Narayan a patient hearing and expressing sympathy with the mass of destitutes. President Tito, the only head of State who has received Mr. Narayan so far in his present mission, even assured the fullest consideration of the Bangla Desh recognition issue in line with Yugoslav policy of establishing speedy accord with all revolutionary regimes. Mr. Narayan’s greatest disappointment was at Cairo where none of the Government leaders, much less President Sadat, felt inclined to meet him. The Arabs, for whose susceptibilities the Government of India has shown the utmost regard even at the risk of receiving brickbats on delicate issues, have shown little consideration for the problems this country is facing. They seem to have been completely won over by Pakistan on this question. Even the provocative activities of the Pakistani army on India's eastern border have not softened their stand. At Helsinki, thanks to the blockading by the Harold Wilson group, Mr. Narayan was not permitted to address the Socialist International Council, though he had earlier been invited to do so.