JOURNALIST: Mr. Ambassador, the Human Rights World Rock Tour arrived in Delhi to a row over its objective of promoting Amnesty International.
AMBASSADOR: That’s right.
JOURNALIST: The American Superstar Springsteen was intrigued by the attempt of the organizers to use the Rock Tour for the promotion of a pro government newspaper rather than for the International Amnesty.
AMBASSADOR: Very Correct.
JOURNALIST: Do you think rulers in Delhi would tolerate promotion of Amnesty International, which in its latest report has indicted the Indian Government for persecuting Sikhs and supporting their human rights?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
JOURNALIST: Mr. Ambassador, raising the issue of Balkar Singh’s detention in India, the Canadian Member of Parliament, and Mr. Bill Blaikie has criticized his government for being over Sensitive to the needs of the Indian government in matters dealing with Canadian Sikhs.
AMBASSADOR: That’s right.
JOURNALIST: He demanded that the Canadian government should vigorously encourage the government of India to respect and protect rights of Sikhs in India and elsewhere. AMBASSADOR: Very Correct.
JOURNALIST: Don’t you think Canadian government would rather sacrifice the rights of its Sikh citizens than lose its lucrative trade with India?
AMBASSADOR: Not in national interest to disclose.
JOURNALIST: Mr. Ambassador, writing in the Indian Express, Mr. Devandra Sharma argues that Pepsico project will make Punjab farmer dependent upon Washington?
AMBASSADOR: That’s right.
JOURNALIST; On the contrary farmers in Punjab are thrilled at the prospect of internationalizing Indian agriculture. AMBASSADOR: Very Correct.
JOURNALIST: Don’t you think Devendra Sharma’s labored argument is the product of a sick Brahmin mentality that feels uncomfortable with progress and prosperity in Punjab? AMBASSADOR: Not in national interest to disclose.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 7, 1988
