Archive · 1 Sep 2026
South Africa Fund, India-Pakistan Talks, Tripura Inquiry, Cricket Changes
Foreign ministers from non-aligned countries planned a fund to help African countries facing attacks from South Africa.
They also supported a call for countries to impose broad sanctions on South Africa.
Pakistan’s President Zia-ul-Haq might meet India’s Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in Harare.
The possible meeting came while there was speculation about disagreements inside Pakistan’s government.
In India, Minister of State Ghulam Nabi Azad was sent to Tripura after 14 people were killed in Srirampur.
He was expected to meet state and security officials and visit the site.
India’s cricket selectors also chose a new experimental team for matches against Australia.
Sunil Gavaskar and several other experienced players were left out.
Non-aligned foreign ministers reportedly agreed to create a fund for frontline states facing aggression from South Africa.
The ministers endorsed an Organisation of African Unity declaration urging comprehensive sanctions against South Africa.
Pakistan President Zia-ul-Haq was expected to seek a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in Harare.
India’s Home Minister sent Ghulam Nabi Azad to Tripura after 14 people were killed in Srirampur.
India dropped Sunil Gavaskar and several other senior players from its first two one-day internationals against Australia.
- Who
- Foreign ministers of non-aligned countries, South African and African states, Pakistan President Zia-ul-Haq, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Indian officials, and India’s cricket selectors and players.
- What
- The ministers planned a fund and backed sanctions against South Africa; an India-Pakistan summit was considered; Tripura officials investigated a massacre; and India announced an experimental cricket team.
- When
- September 1, 1986; Azad was scheduled to visit Srirampur on September 2, and the cricket matches were scheduled for September 7 and 9.
- Where
- The non-aligned summit was taking place in Harare; the killings occurred in Srirampur, Tripura; and the cricket matches were planned for Jaipur and Srinagar.
- Why
- The fund was intended to help frontline states facing South African aggression, while the Tripura visit followed the killings and the cricket selections were made with the 1987 World Cup in mind.
- South Africa initiative
- Non-aligned foreign ministers reportedly agreed to establish a separate fund for frontline states.
- Sanctions appeal
- The ministers endorsed the Organisation of African Unity’s Special Declaration on South Africa, which called for comprehensive sanctions.
- Possible summit
- Zia-ul-Haq was expected to seek a meeting with Rajiv Gandhi during the Harare summit.
- Tripura deaths
- Fourteen people were killed in Srirampur.
- Government response
- Ghulam Nabi Azad was scheduled to visit Agartala and Srirampur and meet state and security officials.
- Cricket selection
- Sunil Gavaskar, Sandip Patil, Mohinder Amarnath, Kiran More, and Shivlal Yadav were omitted from the first two one-day matches against Australia.
- Match venues
- The matches were scheduled for Jaipur on September 7 and Srinagar on September 9.