Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Global Trade Talks, Regional Warnings and Other September 1986 News
Ministers from more than 70 countries met in Punta del Este to plan new talks about world trade.
The talks would cover goods and services in separate negotiations.
A new committee was supposed to begin work by October 31.
In India, West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu warned Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to be careful when discussing the GNLF movement.
Basu said GNLF supporters celebrated after the prime minister described the movement as a citizenship issue rather than anti-national.
Britain decided to deport Amanullah Khan, a leader linked to the Kashmir separatist movement.
Khan had previously been arrested with five other Kashmiris during a police crackdown.
In Delhi, two autorickshaw drivers died after drinking too much “sura,” while another man was hospitalized.
Ministers from more than 70 nations agreed to launch global trade negotiations covering goods and services.
A trade negotiations committee was scheduled to hold its first meeting by October 31.
West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu urged Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to speak cautiously about the GNLF movement.
Britain announced the deportation of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front leader Amanullah Khan.
Two Delhi autorickshaw drivers died and a third person fell ill after consuming too much of a substance called “sura.”
- Who
- Ministers from more than 70 nations; Jyoti Basu, Rajiv Gandhi, Amanullah Khan, and three men in Delhi.
- What
- New global trade talks were planned, Basu issued a warning about the GNLF movement, Britain ordered Khan's deportation, and two men died after consuming “sura.”
- When
- September 21, 1986; the trade committee's first meeting was to occur no later than October 31.
- Where
- Punta del Este; West Bengal and Darjeeling; Britain; and Nai Basti at Kishanganj in the Capital.
- Why
- The trade talks were intended to address goods and services, while Khan's deportation was described as conducive to the public good; the Delhi deaths followed excessive consumption of “sura.”
Basu's Caution
Prime Minister's Characterization
Nature of the GNLF movement
Basu's Caution
Jyoti Basu said Rajiv Gandhi should learn from the Punjab situation and be careful in his statements about the GNLF movement.
Prime Minister's Characterization
Rajiv Gandhi said the GNLF movement was not anti-national but concerned the question of citizenship; GNLF supporters in Darjeeling reportedly celebrated the statement.
- Trade participants
- Ministers from more than 70 nations
- Trade coverage
- Goods and services, negotiated in separate parts
- Committee deadline
- First meeting no later than October 31
- Indian political figures
- Jyoti Basu and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi
- Deported leader
- Amanullah Khan, a Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front leader
- Delhi deaths
- Narender Kumar, 26, and Ramesh Kumar, 25