Journalist: Mr, Ambassador, Addressing the Non-aligned Nations meet in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, came out with a scathing denunciation of U.S. Bombing of Libya?
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: He said that the attack was unjustifiable and deserves ‘condemnation, He also criticized Britain for providing bases to the invaders?
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: How is it he never criticized Soviet invasion of Afghanistan? What justification can he give for the 1971 Indian invasion of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), or to his own subversive activities in Sri Lanka or to the State terrorism let loose by him against the Sikhs?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, World Bank has decided to give $485 million loan to India for power projects in Northern and Western regions?
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: Another $100 million has been approved by Asian Development Bank for industrial modernization and expansion in India?
Ambassador: Very Correct.
Journalist: How come 90% of these loans has been earmarked for spending in Hindi belt alone, the bulk of which will be spent in U.P. particularly in Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s constituency? Do you think non-Hindi speaking States do not deserve or qualify for power or industrial development?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist: Mr, Ambassador, restrictions on the entry of foreign passport holders in Punjab have again been extended till July 2, 1986?
Ambassador: That’s right,
Journalist: The ban on the entry of foreign journalists continues though some ‘convenient’ journalists are given special permission to visit selected places under state surveillance?
Ambassador: Very Correct.
Journalist: How long can the Indian Government hide the cruel: from the World that Barnala does not enjoy man support and that Sikh Youths are being systematically eliminated through state terrorism?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 25, 1986