Dear Sajjan:
Thank you for sharing with me your concern regarding the fiscal year 1993 foreign aid request for India and New Delhi’s alleged abuses of human rights of its minorities,
Concern about human rights violations has long been an integral principle of U.S. foreign policy. It is obviously a consideration taken into account in developing foreign assistance programs, including the provision of military aid to government’s with whom we share political and security interests, How to clearly signal our disapproval of alleged violations and induce corrective behavior, without compromising our interests in critical regions by alienating regimes otherwise favorable to our strategic designs, is a painfully complex issue requiring case by-case evaluation.
I am quite familiar with the reported brutality and suppression of human rights in the states of Punjab and Kashmir perpetrated by the Indian government. We should employ the appropriate diplomatic channels to voice our disapproval and the extent to which a continuation of the practices alleged will affect bilateral relations. At the same time, we must carefully examine whether India’s contributions toward enhancing political stability and economic development in the potentially volatile South Asian region warrant U,S, support as consistent with our interests,
Please be assured that, as a member of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, I will thoroughly assess all aspects of the foreign assistance request for India in the fiscal year 1993 budget to ensure that it satisfies U.S. policy objectives and principles.
I appreciate having your thoughts on this issue. Warren B. Rudman United States Senator
Article extracted from this publication >> September 18, 1992
