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The L M Singhvi Chat

Us too Dr Singhvi. Welcome, very much. Pardon my curiosity and tell me one thing: What kind of a person is Tony Blair..? Like somebody mentioned here, you must have met him many times for cocktails and things??

Dear Dr. Singhvi, Mr. babu has been asking quite a few questions for some time. Can you please give your opinion ?

Dr.Singhvi, what image British Govt. has about the political condition in India?

Hullo, doctor, I believe the Kashmiris are whooping in joy at the Lanbour win. Kaufman and company have always been on their side. Do we need to worry? Or are relations between India and Britain so good that we don't have to worry?

Mr Singhvi, how do you think are the Tories going to revive themselves? Do they have a chance?

I am sure you have met Mr Blair. What impression have you gained of him? As a post-Raj kid, does he have any fondness for India?

Babu: Yes, I have met Mr and Mrs Blair many times. They are both outstanding in their own different ways. Mrs Blair, known as Cherie Booth, is a very good lawyer, and I have known her as a lawyer. She has been to our home and to India House more than once. She is fond of India and I am sure that her visit to India will make her and Mr Blair admire India and the richness of its heritage. Mr John Smith, the former leader of the Labour Party, had great admiration for our economic reforms and the way India was re-interpreting socialism and trying to introduce wide-ranging economic reforms with a human face. I often spoke to him about our reforms, constitutional system, our judiciary, and our democracy. He made a speech after we had had a talk on Indian perceptions in which he clearly stated that India had to have a permanent on the Security Council if the United Nations were to reflect the realities of the '90s rather than the '40s. In fact, he asked Mr Tony Blair and Mr Jack Cunningham to visit India House. When they came to India House, we had a wonderful opportunity to interact on world and Indian issues. Mr Blair is very clear headed and is particularly appreciative of democracy, rule of law, and economic reforms in India. I think he has considerable respect for India.

Is there something wrong with my computer, or has the conversation not started yet?

Singhvisaab, you have been high commissioner for almost seven years (is the longest by any Indian to the court of St James?), what would you reckon is your biggest achievement?

Dr Singhvi, can we not use the Indian community in Britain to push forth India's case with the Blair government? After all, Lord Paul is close to Mr Blair.

Spoken like a diplomat, Dr Singvi, spoken like a true diplomat! Now could you tell us where Mr Blair would stand in relation to the Kashmir issue? With us -- I am true blooded Indian -- or with them?

Thank you, Dr, for your eloquent response. I have never seen you are gue in court, but I have heard of your awesome erudition. I(s it true that Mr Blair and Prime Minister Gujral have been acquainted since 1990 when he came to India as shadow health (?) secretary?

Visakha: The Gandhi papers are back where they belong: that is in India, in the Nehru Memorial Museum. They were about to be auctioned by Philips the auctioneers. I took them back to India from the auctioneers's mallet. They belonged to the Navjivan Trust under the will and probate of Mahatma Gandhi. There was a motion in the House of Commons to support my plaint. I spoke on Radio 4; The Guardian published a special supplement. Finally, Philips realised that they could not auction the property which belonged to us. They came and handed over the papers to me and I presented them to Prime Minister I K Gujral on the very first day he took office at Gandhi Smriti in New Delhi.

By the way Dr Singhvi, read something about an Indian lawyer trying to get back some of our antiques including Shivaji's sword from the British government. Some society to preserve Indian culture.. What's happening on that front. And, being the nice man he is, would Mr Blair part with the sword and stuff?

Mr Singhvi, what is the Indian High Commission doing in England to commemorate the 50 years of Indian Independence?

Is Mr Blair coming down to India to commemorate fifty years of freedom? What about the Queen? It appears the British are doing more than we Indians are!

Dr Singhvi, what are the specific changes you expect in Indo-British relations with the Blair government?

Nandini: I made detailed inquiries about Shivaji's sword, but so far, we have no evidence that the famous sword of Shivaji is in the possession of the British people. In fact, research conducted by experts show that the famous sword of Shivaji cannot be located in British collections. Unless I am sure of the identity of the particular sword, it doesn't seem worth trying. We have to be sure of the sword we may be looking for.

Dr Singhvi, Mr Blair has spoken yesterday of reforming the welfare state. What lessons does a welfare state like Britain hold for a society like ours with its deep economic divisions?

When will get Mr Blunkett down to India for a visit? What an impressive man!

B: I expect to build a happy relationship on a continuing basis on the foundation which already exists. The last six years have been described as a golden phase in the Indo-British relationship. I am sure the sound basis on which we have built the excellent relationship between India and Britain will endure.

Dr. Singhvi I think you are trying to give lengthy replies t o cover all the points.

Okay, but what was that culture society all about. Unless I am mistaken, it was led by an Indian lawyer (not you!). and even if we cannot trace the Shivaji's sword, I am sure there will be other things we need to get back...? How far do you think the society will succeed? (Would like to get in tocuh with then..) In any case, do we have a legal foot to stand on? After all, all might not have been stolen,,,

Discussing the Bhawani sword bring me to a moot point: Why does the Indian high commission not use the goodwill in this 50th year to reclaim the treasures the British stole from us. Like the Padashahanama, for instance. Melina Mercouri got the Eligian Marbles back for Greece, so why can't we get back some, if not all, of our heritage?

Ahmed: you are great! I was searching for those names, but my memory is a leaky gas pipe. Nothing stay there. So, Dr Singhvi... what about all these Ahmed-mentioned treasures? And do we have any legal footing?

Thank you, doctor, for your response. But may we request specific responses, not generalities. What are the specific areas where there has been an improvement, the golden era of your view. Is it based on trade? If it is, what are the most exciting Indo-British business deals coming up?