Former American President Ronald Reagan, who died on June 5, first met Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at Cancun in 1981 and later Rajiv Gandhi in 1985 in Washington. Not surprisingly, Pakistan dominated both Indira Gandhi’s and Rajiv Gandhi’s discussions with Reagan October 1981, Cancun• Ronald Reagan, Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher and Zhao Zhiyng were a few of the leaders who met at Cancun to draw up a blueprint for the global economy. In her 45 minute meeting with Reagan, Indira reiterated India’s opposition to the proposed sale of F16s to Pakistan. Reagan listened politely and justified the sale from the American perspective. Indira Gandhi emphasised that arming Pakistan with sophisticated weapons was bound to aggravate tension in the region. • On October 31, Reagan got a call at midnight, informing him of Indira Gandhi’s assasination. In his condolence message to Rajiv, he said ‘‘Indira Gandhi as prime minister of the world’s largest democracy understood the importance of freedom as she sought to ensure a better life for all India.’’
