Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Rajiv Gandhi has criticized American President’s action in apprehending the hijackers of the Italian liner Achille Lauro.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: At the same time he has signed an agreement with British Prime Minister to deal effectively with Indian fugitives who are only protesting against his government’s patronage to Brahmin revivalism that is threatening the identity of minority communities in India.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: How is it that Rajiv considers opponents to his communal policies as more dangerous than the hijackers of the Italian liner?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
* * *
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Indian Government is saying that it wants to improve its relations with the United States of America,
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: It has also decided to establish diplomatic relations with the Soviet backed Nicaragua simply as a reaction to Equador’s concessions to the Sikhs.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: Don’t you think that Nicaragua is being developed as an anti U.S. base by the Soviets and Indian support to Nicaragua can be considered anything but a friendly gesture by the U.S.?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
* * *
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, RajivLongowal accord categorically lays down that all those Sikh army personnel who had deserted their units because of the emotional shock at the invasion of the Golden Temple would be suitably rehabilitated. Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: But recently majority of the Sikh deserters have been sentenced to rigorous prison terms ranging from four to twelve years. It has also been decided that the convicted soldiers would be kept in prisons far away from Punjab and no visitors would be allowed to meet them.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: Don’t you think that sentencing these Sikhs to long terms of imprisonment is a flagrant violation of the accord? What is the guarantee that other clauses of the agreement would not meet the same fate?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 25, 1985
