Opinion May 16, 1984, Forty Years Ago: Bush Reassures India

US Vice President George Bush said his country’s friendship with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka did not mean that there was a US plan to encircle India.

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He reiterated his country’s firm commitment to a strong and united India. The US did not want a militant Pakistan and was deeply interested in good relations between India and Pakistan, he said.

By: Editorial

May 16, 2024 07:25 AM IST First published on: May 16, 2024 at 06:30 AM IST

US Vice President George Bush said his country’s friendship with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka did not mean that there was a US plan to encircle India. Bush said, “We do not want to see India threatened.” He reiterated his country’s firm commitment to a strong and united India. The US did not want a militant Pakistan and was deeply interested in good relations between India and Pakistan, he said.

PLA Hostages Freed

The kidnapped American couple, Stanley and Mary Allen, were handed over by their captors to the Jaffna bishop, Rev Deodupillai. Reports said the American couple were hale and hearty. The Allens were kidnapped from their residence at gunpoint on May 10 by members of the People’s Liberation Army.

PM On Terror

Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi told the National Democratic Alliance leaders that the government was taking all necessary steps to curb violence and terrorism in Punjab. The government, she said, was greatly concerned about the Punjab situation. Mrs Gandhi said the government was maintaining informal contacts with the Akali leadership to arrive at a settlement. The government is worried that though those on the hit lists of extremists all had security guards, they were ineffective.

Rohtak Hartal

The police lathi-charged a stone-throwing mob at Rohtak in Haryana. An assistant superintendent of police and three other policemen sustained minor injuries. The irate mob resorted to stone-throwing when the police did not allow the people to take out a procession to express resentment against the assassination of the Hind Samachar group of newspaper’s chief editor, Ramesh Chander.