NEW DELHI: The Indian Foreign Ministry protested against a Statement President Bill Clinton made about the Sikh insurgency in the Punjab saying it could have a negative impact on bilateral relations.
Clinton said in a letter to U.S. Representative Gary Condit (D Calif.) that he favors a peaceful solution to fighting in the state that protects Sikhs rights. The letter was released to reporters last week in Washington by the U.S/-based Council of Khalistan a Sikh-separatist lobby group.
Condit wrote to Clinton asking for an active U.S. role in solving the insurgency in the northern Indian state.
The Indian ambassador in Washington Sidhartha Shanker Ray has been asked to meet U.S. officials to convey India’s reaction.
We reject any statement that speaks of a solution that protects Sikh rights said a statement by the Foreign Office spokesman.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 28, 1994
