17-06-2025
June 17, 1985, Forty Years Ago: Indo-US statement
India and the United States will maintain close cooperation to combat 'the international dimensions of terrorist violence against India' and broaden their ties through a programme of research covering agriculture, medicine and science. These major decisions were set up in a joint communique issued at the end of PM Rajiv Gandhi's visit to the US. The joint statement is quiet on the differences over the supply of sophisticated weaponry by the US to Pakistan and Pakistan's nuclear programme.
Longowal Clarifies
THE AKALI DAL (L) president, Harchand Singh Longowal, has said his party was prepared to reconsider the Anandpur Sahib Resolution if 'Hindus have any apprehensions about it'. The resolution did not put forth the demand for a 'Khalistan', he said. Longowal said that the Akali Dal (L) was committed to the unity and integrity of the country.
Reagan On Hijackers
HIJACKERS WHO KILLED one passenger aboard a TWA jetliner flew back to Beirut with about 40 American hostages still on board, renewing threats to detonate the plane unless Israel releases 50 Shia Muslim guerrilla prisoners. They had earlier sought the release of all such prisoners in Israeli prisons. Ronald Reagan said the US government had been in touch with governments of Israel and Lebanon.
Ceasefire in Sri Lanka
There was speculation that Sri Lanka's long-drawn separatist war would end this week with most of the Tamil guerrillas and government forces observing a ceasefire, official sources said. National Security Minister Lalith Athulathmudali signalled an early ceasefire, saying that the settlement process was likely to begin within a week.
