News Spike: The Sikh Genocide of 1984 and The Westland Affair

"Prime Minister, you handled it brilliantly!

You forced him to resign on an obscure administrative issue of your choosing, rather than on a policy issue of his choosing.

Nobody will support him because nobody will really understand why he's gone.

A masterstroke!"

Sir Humphrey Appleby,

Man Overboard

9th November 1983

Indian Defence Minister meets Margaret Thatcher in Number 10 Downing Street.

“The Prime Minister expressed her pleasure at the high degree of co-operation between the UK and India on military matters”

22nd November 1983

Captain Ramsdale, pilot is sent to Yeovil before going to India in order to “familiarize himself with the helicopter and the state of project negotiaions”

Late November

Margaret Thatcher meets Indira Gandhi in Delhi at the Commonwealth Heads of State meeting.

30th November

Downing Street to FCO

“One matter which arose during the Prime Minister’s visit to India for CHOGM was the prospect of Westland winning a contract worth over £50 million for 27 of their new W 30 helicopters, of which, I understand, 21 would be for the oil and Natural Gas Commission for servicing off-shore rigs and six for the Indian Air Force. I believe that we are unlikely to win the contract unless we offer substantial aid.

Report requested for the PM by 6th December.

December

Document requested by 6th December appears to be missing.

3rd February 1984

Missing document from the Foreign Secretary about the removal of “dissident Sikhs from the Golden Temple”.

6th February

Downing Street to FCO

“Thank you for your letter of 3 February about the Indian request for advice on plans for the removal of dissident Sikhs from the Golden Temple. The Prime Minister is content the Foreign Secretary should procedd as he proposes. She will look forward to receiving a report on the adviser’s visit”Adviser’s report missing.