WASHINGTON, DC: Indian Ambassador to the US Siddartha Shankar Ray met US Assistant Secretary of State Robin Raphel last week and expressed India’s concern over a series of negative pronouncements by the US authorities which have affected relations between the two countries. Ray’s meeting with Raphel came in the wake of a letter written by its President Bill Clinton to a US Congressman wherein he talked of protecting Sikh rights in Punjab. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs had reacted strongly to the wording of the US President’s letter and had instructed the Indian Ambassador in Washington DC to express India’s concern and objections to the sefies of recent negative statements by the US authorities on Kashmir human rights and Punjab. The Indian Ambassador was earlier expected to have a meeting with the US under Secretary of State Peter I am off. However I am off was out of town and was expected back in office by Jan.30. Before Ray met Raphel official sources here had clarified that Mr. Clinton did not support the demand for Khalistan and that he was referring to the protection of the minority rights when he talked about the Sikh rights.
A US state department official who did not want to be identified said the President when he talked about the Sikh rights in Punjab against which India had made a Strong protest he had in mind the rights of the minorities which enjoyed full protection in India’s secular constitution he added.
In reply to a question department spokesman Christian Shelly gave details of the President’s letter dated Dec.27 without commenting on India’s objection.
She said the letter noted improvement of the situation in Punjab over the past two years
Besides it pointed out that US would continue to rise with senior officials in Punjab and in New Delhi our concerns about the abuses which still do occur there she added.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 4, 1994
