JOURNALIST: Mr. Ambassador, in his efforts to placate China about anti-Peking activities of Tibetan exiles in India, Rajiv Gandhi made it a point to repeat that India recognized Tibet as part of China,
AMBASSADOR: That’s right.
JOURNALIST: But to placate the Indians, he instantly declared that the question of conceding territory to China did not come up.
AMBASSADOR: Very Correct.
JOURNALIST: Don’t you think to further please China, Rajiv Gandhi may pressurize Dalai Lama to come to terms with the Chinese Leaders?
AMBASSAOR: Not in national interest to disclose.
JOURNALIST: Mr. Ambassador, some members of a newly formed ‘Sat-Panth’ headed by a self-styled ‘Baba’ Ram Singh tried to take control of Gurdwara Sis Ganj in Delhi last week.
AMBASSADOR: That’s right.
JOURNALIST; “Sat Panthies” according to the press reports, were accompanied by leaders of the Shiv Sena from beyond Jamuna area who came supporting yellow turbans.
AMBASSADOR: Very Correct.
JOURNALIST: Don’t you think this new organization is another government inspired attempt on the lines of ‘Nirankaris’ and ‘Radhaswamis’ to undermine Sikh institutions and traditions? When will the Hindu rulers of India stop meddling in Sikh religious affairs?
AMBASSADOR: Not in national interest to disclose.
JOURNALIST: Mr. Ambassador, elaborate security arrangements are being made at village Longowal in Punjab in view of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s coming visit on January 2, 1989.
AMBASSADOR: That’s Right.
JOURNALIST: He is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of the Indian Institute of Technology which the government proposes to put up as a memorial to Sant Harchand Singh Longowal.
AMBASSADOR: Very correct.
JOURNALIST: Is the proposed Institute of Technology being offered as a substitute to the Rajiv-Longowal Accord?
AMBASSADOR: Not in national interest to disclose.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 30, 1988
