On current issues in India, Mr. Singh reiterated that the strength of the country is its unity.

A few representatives from the India Association of Minnesota (AIM) had the honor of visiting Mr. Vishwanath Pratap Singh on May 7th. Mr. V.P. Singh started his political career with the Congress Party in the 1970's. However, in 1986 he had a falling out with Rajiv Gandhi and left the Congress Party – only to become Prime Minister of India in 1989 with BJP support. Recently, Mr. Singh visited Rochester for medical treatment at the Mayo clinic. Despite his ill-health and the short duration of his visit, he agreed to meet some representatives from AIM (details at www.iamn.org).

On May 7th I made a trip to Rochester accompanied by Rabinder Bains and Bankim Desai. We had a short and pleasant visit with Mr. Singh and talked to him about several contemporary and historical topics.

On Pakistan Mr. Singh said India should keep up diplomatic and military pressure on Pakistan, since these two strategies together are more effective than any single strategy. He endorsed President Bush's opinion that terrorists should be dealt with a firm hand. However, he felt that the United States government has been lax in condemning the terrorist acts of Pakistan. He reminisced about his role in negotiating with China and Pakistan and averting a possible armed conflict during his tenure as Prime Minister. In true Gandhian fashion Mr. Singh commented that war is not a solution to any problem. Mr. Singh believes that recent elections in Kashmir have given a new opportunity for peace. Popular participation in elections has sent an indication to the government that the people of Kashmir desire peace.

He expressed his pride in many accomplishments of the Indian community in the United States. He congratulated the immigrant community on its professional status in the States and their efforts to invest money in the Indian economy. NRI investments in India strengthen the ties between both countries, he maintained. He believes that NRIs in America have rendered great service to India by being excellent ambassadors. He encouraged the NRI community to participate fully in the political process in the U.S. On dual citizenship, he agreed with us that NRIs should be given all privileges enjoyed by citizens of India, short of voting rights.

On current issues in India, Mr. Singh reiterated that the strength of the country is its unity. He views women's education as a major factor in promoting a healthy society. He asserted that women's education is key to population control and poverty eradication. Educated women are more prone to adopt family planning programs, and work to lead their families out of poverty.
Mr. Singh, like many other leaders of developing countries, expressed his frustration with the agricultural and trade policies pursued by the United States and Europe. World Trade Organization (WTO) policies are not beneficial to developing countries, since WTO (on behalf of the United States and Europe) asks for access to free markets in India and removal of all tariffs on imports into India. But it is silent on agricultural subsidies provided to farmers by the developed nations. Mr. Singh estimated that the United States, Europe, Japan and Australia collectively dole out $362 billion in agricultural subsidies each year. Farmers in developing countries such as India are unable to compete with American and European farmers because of the unequal playing field created by the existence of these huge subsidies. Mr. Singh also cautioned that agriculture is not a business in India but a way of life for our agrarian society. The farming population in India is large (60% of the rural population), and any displacement of these farmers due to unfair competition from the West will have disastrous consequences for the country. Mr. Singh also pointed to import restrictions in the United States and other industrialized countries on products that India has a comparative advantage in, such as textiles. "Where is the fair play?" asked Mr. Singh.

On trading blocs, Mr. Singh agreed that India should form a trading bloc with other South Asian countries, in a manner similar to ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations.)

Mr. Singh closed the conversation with a special message for children, "I wish them the best the world has to offer them."

Deep Shikha Gupta