Gandhi voices concern over Afghan occupation

September 22, 1982

Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi broke her silence on the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and expressed ''serious concern'' to President Leonid Brezhnev on the Soviet troop presence there, official reports said.

Indian sources said Afghanistan was one of the main topics at the 85-minute meeting on the second day of Mrs. Gandhi's official visit. She repeated India's wish that the fighting stop. Mr. Brezhnev reportedly replied his government felt the situation in Afghanistan was stabilizing, and he offered no new proposals for ending the conflict.