Thatcher and Gandhi differ

Press, 18 April 1981, Page 9

Thatcher and Gandhi differ

NZPA-Reuter New Delhi Two days of talks between the Indian Prime Minister (Mrs Indira Gandhi) and the British Prime Minister (Mrs Margaret Thatcher) have failed to resolve sharp differences between them on important world issues. Their formal talks, which included two private meetings without aides, ended yesterday but differences re-' mained on a number of issues, including the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan and Western defence strategy in the region. Their divergence came into focus when Mrs Gandhi made an unscheduled speech to Parliament after Mrs .Thatcher had addressed the Assembly. • Traditionally, Indian Prime Ministers have left the floor to visiting leaders when they address the legislators.

But Mrs Gandhi responding to Mrs Thatcher’s repeated references to the “invasion” of Afghanistan and declared readiness to help in the defence, of the Gulf States, said:

“We are a little wary of theories of containment' of one country or another.” While "emphasising the

need for closer co-operation despite differences, Mrs Thatcher summed up their respective positions with the comment: “You non-aligned, we aligned.” Mrs Gandhi and Mrs Thatcher also differed on the controversial British Nationality Bill which creates three types of citizenship and affects British passport holders of Asian origin, including Indians.

Mrs Gandhi said she hoped Britain would honour Mrs Thatchers assurance of equal opportunities to all regardless of race.

Mrs Thatcher will address a press conference and then fly to Bombay where she will end her five-day visit to India tomorrow to begin a tour of Gulf countries.

She will visit Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oman, and Qatar. In Bombay, Mrs Thatcher will visit the Shaba atomic research centre and address a meeting of businessmen today.

Mrs Gandhi .will also visit Bombay today to fulfil an engagement ' unconnected with Mrs Thatcher’s visit.The two may meet again but no formal talks are scheduled.