Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Rajiv Gandhi called for an end to all external interference in Afghanistan following a withdrawal of Soviet troops.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: He also said that he wanted to see Afghanistan free from influence of both the superpowers.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist When does he propose to end the Indian occupation of Sikh homeland, Khalistan? Why does he want to see Afghanistan free of the superpowers’ influence when he himself blindly follows the Soviet commands?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist Mr. Ambassador, addressing a farmers’ rally at Lucknow, the Indian Prime Minister, offered more time to the farmers for repaying the loans.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: But the Bharatiya Kisan Union (The National Farmers Union) criticized Gandhi for giving nothing to farmers but “bullets and blows”.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: Do you think Gandhi’s “bullets and blows” policy of dealing with domestic problems is at the root of growing violence in India?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Punjab’s Governor S.S. Ray said that the government would not brook the idea of Khalistan.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: And to wean the Sikhs away from Khalistan, he is making promises to install sugar mills and paper mills in Punjab and provide employment to one lakh Sikh young men.
Ambassador. Very correct.
Journalist: Do you think Sikh young men will fall for the bribe of his promises? Don’t they know the fate of the promises made by the Indian leaders to their fathers?
Ambassador, Not in national interest to disclose.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 26, 1988
