Mr Wood, SAD
CONFIDENTIAL
From: PJ Westmacott Date: 10 July 1986
CC: PS
PS/Lady Young PS/PUS
Sir W Harding Dr Wilson
HKD.
INDIA: SIKH EXTREMISM
1. Mr Renton has seen a copy of the Secretary of State's letter to Mr Kinnock of 3 July, promising a further letter commenting in detail on the points raised in the Leader of the Opposition's letter of 26 June. He hopes that it will be possible to get Home Office approval for a full reply in the very near future, to enable the Foreign Secretary to assure Mr Kinnock quickly that the Indian allegations against HMG are without foundation.
79
2. As a result of Mr Kinnock's letter, Mr Renton has now seen, for the first time, the Indian MEA's letter to our High Commission of 20 March and learnt that it has still received no reply. He recognises that dealing with the endless stream of Indian complaints is a thankless task, but considers that we stand no chance at all of convincing the Indian Government that they are unfounded if we leave their correspondence unanswered for so long. Nor shall we find it easy to persuade Mr Kinnock that we have made every effort to convince the Indians of our good faith. Mr Renton would be grateful if you would prepare a draft reply for the High Commission, to send to the MEA, containing a detailed response to the Indian
If charge sheet, for him to see in the very near future. there are problems about clearing the text with the Home Office, Mr Renton would be willing to speak to Mr Waddington to accelerate the process.
3.
Mr Renton has also seen a copy of PS/Mr Waddington's letter of 9 July to Mr Galsworthy, suggesting that Mr Waddington should visit the Sub Continent and Hong Kong in September. On balance, he thinks this is a good idea but great care will be needed in both New Delhi and Hong Kong, where Mr Waddington is likely to be faced with some delicate issues.
HKK 02715
REC
D IN REGISTRY
1 8 JUL 1986
CEL
PA
Action Taken
/4.
CONFIDENTIAL
144.