AMRITSAR: Jim Mc Dermott a Democratic member of the House of Representatives of the United States who made a visit to Golden Temple Amritsar after spending a few hours in Srinagar last week Said that I believe that time had come that both the United States and India should develop close relations between themselves. He said that with the disintegration of the Soviet Union and change in India’s policy towards United States there was enough scope for the two countries to develop close ties for playing a major role in the subcontinent.

When asked why the United States had suddenly shown greater interest in Punjab and Kashmir that within a month two senior US representatives had visited the two troubled border states (It will be recalled that in the first week of December US Senator Larry Pressler had made a one-day visit to Amritsar and Kashmir before he left for Pakistan) McDermott Said that there were several reasons for my visiting these two Indian border states one to see for ourselves the ground relatives there Two Indian ambassador to the United States 33 Ray had persuaded me to visit Punjab especially Amritsar.

It may also be presumed maintained McDermott that we are trying to do the ground work and he United States President Bill Clinton may sometimes visit this country McDermott avoided giving his impression after having visited Amritsar and Sri Nagar saying that it was difficult for him to pass judgment after having spent just seven hours in Srinagar. Though he hastily added that the situation in Punjab and Kashmiris: difficult. There is need for India to remain a secular state and also understand the desire of Sikhs and Kashmiris to have their own state. India and Pakistan through negotiations should work out a formula for bringing peace in Kashmir. He also said that the people have complained of human rights violations. In reply to a question McDermott said that there was no reason for us to be involved in political affairs of India. He said that the United States based Council of Khalistan chairman Kahlon is trying for Khalistan. My nonresident Indian Sikh friend Charanjit Singh Chandra from Seattle also asked me to visit Amritsar So I am here’ said McDermott.

Article extracted from this publication >> January 28, 1994