U.S. Relations with India and Pakistan, 1972
258. Telegram 5254 From the Embassy in India to the Department of State
Ambassador Keating called for Washington to begin the process of trying to reverse what he saw as the “continued downward spiral” of relations between the U.S. and India.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL INDIA-US. Secret; Nodis.
259. National Intelligence Estimate 32–72
NIE 32–72 assessed Pakistan’s difficult situation and uncertain future.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Job 79-R01012A, NIC Files. Secret; Controlled Dissem. According to a note on the cover sheet, the estimate was prepared by the CIA, and the intelligence organizations in the Departments of State, Defense, and the Treasury, and the NSA. All members of the U.S. Intelligence Board concurred in the estimate except the representative of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who abstained because the subject was outside of his jurisdiction. An initial cover sheet and table of contents are not published.
260. Telegram 5704 From the Embassy in India to the Department of State
In light of the qualified nature of proposed U.S. economic assistance for India, and the failure to restore the assistance embargoed during the crisis, the Indian Foreign Ministry concluded that the U.S. was no longer interested in the economic development of India and stipulated that “all Americans working on economic aid” should leave India within a month.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, AID (US) INDIA. Confidential; Nodis. Eyes only for Sisco and Hannah.
261. Telegram 83263 From the Department of State to the Embassy in India
Ambassador Keating was instructed to propose consultations to produce a mutually agreed reduction of U.S. AID staff members in India, taking into account U.S. and Indian priorities for various programs.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, AID (US) INDIA. Secret; Priority; Nodis. Eyes only for Ambassador from Hannah and Sisco. Drafted by Schneider and by Williams and Hannah; cleared by Van Hollen, Sisco, Williams, and Hannah; and approved by Irwin.
262. Telegram 5892 From the Embassy in India to the Department of State
The Embassy submitted to the Department of External Affairs a list of AID personnel working in India with an indication of those leaving by September who would not be replaced.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, AID (US) INDIA. Confidential; Priority; Nodis. Eyes Only for Sisco and Hannah.
263. Telegram 85263 From the Department of State to the Embassy in India
The Department reiterated that the Indian Government should be made aware that the request to reduce AID staff in India was carefully considered in Washington, and that the U.S. concurred.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, AID (US) INDIA. Secret; Priority; Nodis. Drafted on May 15 by Schneider; cleared by Van Hollen and Williams, and approved by Sisco.
264. Telegram 6684 From the Embassy in India to the Department of State
The question of eliminating the U.S. technical assistance program was considered at “the highest levels,” and it was decided that India would continue to request technical assistance in areas where U.S. technical superiority was obvious.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, AID (US) INDIA. Secret; Priority; Nodis. Eyes Only for Hannah and Sisco. Additional documentation on the further reduction of U.S. economic and technical assistance programs in India can be found ibid.
265. Telegram 7113 From the Embassy in India to the Department of State
Ambassador Keating viewed the impending visit of outgoing Secretary of the Treasury Connally as an opportunity to take a step in the direction of repairing relations between the U.S. and India.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 598, Country Files, Middle East, India, Vol. V, 31 Dec 71-July 1972. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Connally resigned as Secretary of the Treasury on May 16. Thereafter he visited a number of countries around the world at President Nixon’s request to review with host governments matters of mutual interest. Included on his itinerary were stops in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
266. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Nixon approved a recommendation that the U.S. participate with other members of the India consortium in rescheduling India’s debt.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 598, Country Files, Middle East, India, Vol. V, 31 Dec 71-July 1972. Secret. Sent for action. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates that Nixon saw it. The President initialed the approval line. Kissinger sent a memorandum to Rogers on June 12 informing him of the President’s decision. (Ibid.) The decision relating to the India consortium came in the wake of the meeting of the Pakistan consortium in Paris on May 26. The United States agreed at that meeting to assume responsibility for $50 million of the $108 million of Pakistan’s long-term debt that was rescheduled and also pledged $60 million of commodity assistance to Pakistan. (Telegram 4900 from Islamabad, June 5; ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, AID 9 PAK)
267. Memorandum of Conversation
In a conversation with Chinese Prime Minister Chou En-lai, the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger reviewed the cooperation between the United States and China during the crisis in South Asia.
Source: Library of Congress, Kissinger Papers, Manuscript Division, Box TS 36, South Asia, Chronological File, July 1971-Nov 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The conversation was held in the Great Hall of the People.
268. Memorandum of Conversation
The President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger and Chinese Prime Minister Chou En-lai shared their concern about Soviet influence in South Asia and their opposition to the development of Indian hegemony over the subcontinent.
Source: Library of Congress, Kissinger Papers, Manuscript Division, Box TS 36, South Asia Chronological File, July 1971-Nov 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The conversation was held in a guest house.
269. Telegram 5434 From the Embassy in Pakistan to the Department of State
Pakistani President Bhutto indicated that he was prepared to be as flexible as possible during his forthcoming summit meeting with Indian Prime Minister Gandhi. He added that if Awami League President Mujibur Rahman was prepared to meet without requiring prior recognition of his government and dropped the threat to try Pakistani prisoners as war criminals, he anticipated that he could propose recognition of Bangaladesh following a meeting with Mujib in July.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL INDIA-PAK. Confidential; Exdis. Repeated to Dacca, New Delhi, London, Karachi, and Lahore.
270. Telegram WH 22043 From the White House to the Embassy in New Zealand
Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Haig cabled former Treasury Secretary Connally on President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger’s instructions to suggest that when he met with Indian Prime Minister Gandhi in New Delhi he inform her that a continuing stream of public criticism of U.S. policy in Vietnam on the part of her and members of her Government would not form a basis for the dialogue to improve India’s relations with the U.S. that they indicated they wanted to initiate.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 150, Geopolitical File, India, 21 May 1971-Dec 1972. Secret; Eyes Only. The telegram was sent from Haig to Connally and marked for the attention of Hoskinson who was traveling with Connally.
271. Backchannel Message WH22059 From President Nixon to John Connally in New Zealand
Nixon referred to the previous telegram from Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Haig to Connally regarding his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Gandhi and added the following instruction: “I would like to emphasize that it is essential that you take the strongest stand on this issue and would like to reemphasize the importance I attach to your maintaining the toughest and most aloof demeanor during your Indian leg in the face of these Indian attacks.”
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box TS 28, Geopolitical File, India Chronological File, 4 Nov 1971–19 Sept 1973. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Haig signed the telegram for Nixon.
272. Intelligence Note Prepared in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research
The note assesses the agreement signed by Pakistani President Bhutto and Indian Prime Minister Gandhi at Simla, India on July 3.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL INDIA-PAK. Limited Official Use. Drafted in INR/DRR/RNA by David McGaffey and approved by Office Director Curtis Jones. The Embassy in Pakistan forwarded the text of the Simla agreement to the Department on July 3 in telegram 5737 from Islamabad. (Ibid.) In analyzing the agreement, the Embassy concluded that it set the stage for further negotiations on the central issue of Kashmir. (Telegram 5748 from Islamabad, July 3; ibid) The Department was encouraged by the “clear and repeated affirmation on the part of both India and Pakistan of their desire to put an end to conflict and confrontation in South Asia and of their desire to work towards durable peace.” (Telegram 120269 to New Delhi, July 3; ibid.)
273. Telegram 8245 From the Embassy in India to the Department of State
The Embassy reported that former Treasury Secretary Connally and Indian Foreign Minister Swaran Singh reviewed the state of U.S.-Indian relations. The focus was on prospects for improved relations, but the exchange became sharp on the issues of U.S. arms supplies to Pakistan and Indian criticism of the U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 US/Connally. Confidential; Exdis. Also designated Conto 220. Repeated to Islamabad, Dacca, Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Athens for Secretary Rogers, the White House for Jeanne Davis, and Treasury for Leonard S. Dixon, Director of the Office of Administration. Connally’s stops in South Asia included Dacca, July 3 and 4, New Delhi, July 4 and 5, Islamabad, July 5–7, and Kabul, July 7. A number of the issues discussed by Connally and Singh on July 4 were explored at greater length with Foreign Secretary Kaul on July 5 by Van Hollen, DCM Galen Stone, and John M. Hennessy, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs. The conversation was reported to the Department on July 6 in Telegram 5874 from Islamabad. (Ibid.)
274. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Kissinger provided an assessment of the Simla agreement.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 598, Country Files, Middle East, India, Vol. V, 31 Dec 71-July 1972. Confidential. Sent for information. A stamped notation on the memorandum indicates Nixon saw it.
275. National Security Study Memorandum 156
On behalf of the President, the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger directed that an analysis of the implications for U.S. policy of a nuclear test by India be prepared.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 365, Subject Files, National Security Study Memoranda (NSSMs), Nos. 104–206. Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. A copy was sent to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
276. Telegram 5868 From the Embassy in Pakistan to the Department of State
The cable reported on former Treasury Secretary Connally’s exchange with Indian Finance Minister Y. B. Chavan on July 4. The conversation dealt with international monetary and trade reform and with India’s perception that the rules governing economic assistance were inequitable and worked to the disadvantage of third world countries.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 US/Connally. Confidential; Exdis. Also designated CONTO 240. Repeated to New Delhi, Dacca, Bombay, Madras, Caltigta, Belgrade for Rogers, the White House for Davis, and Treasury for Dixon.
277. Telegram 4075 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State
In the first of seven telegrams reporting on his conversation with Indian Prime Minister Gandhi in Simla on July 5, former Treasury Secretary Connally said that he opened the conversation by summarizing the results of President Nixon’s trips to Peking and Moscow.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 US/Connally. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Also designated CONTO 254. Sent with instructions to pass to Islamabad, New Delhi, Dacca, the White House for Davis, and Treasury for Dixon.
278. Telegram 4076 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State
Former Treasury Secretary Connally and Indian Prime Minister Gandhi discussed the Simla agreement. Connally raised the issue of U.S. assistance to India and Bangladesh and expressed concern that U.S. motives were being misconstrued.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 US/Connally. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Also designated as CONTO 255. Sent with instructions to pass to Islamabad, New Delhi, Dacca, the White House for Davis, and Treasury for Dixon.
279. Telegram 4077 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State
In the course of discussing the possibility of improved relations between the U.S. and India, former Treasury Secretary Connally and Indian Prime Minister Gandhi discussed the contentious issues of U.S. military supplies to Pakistan and Indian criticism of U.S. policy in Vietnam.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 US/Connally. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Also designated as CONTO 256. Sent with instructions to pass to Islamabad, New Delhi, Dacca, the White House for Davis, and Treasury for Dixon. Telegrams 4077 through 4080 from Iran, which reported on various aspects of Connally’s conversation with Gandhi, Documents 279–282, were misdated as July 8.
280. Telegram 4078 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State
Former Treasury Secretary Connally and Indian Prime Minister Gandhi discussed economic and monetary issues. Gandhi indicated that although her Government had nationalized a number of insurance companies operating in India, she still welcomed foreign investment in sectors such as banking, where India needed foreign investment and expertise.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 US/Connally. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Also designated as CONTO 257. Sent with instructions to pass to the White House for Davis, and Treasury for Dixon.
281. Telegram 4079 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State
In a discussion of the capability of the new Government of Bangladesh to function effectively, Indian Prime Minister Gandhi reiterated that the return of Bengalis from West Pakistan was important.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 US/Connally. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Also designated as CONTO 258. Sent with instructions to pass to the White House for Davis, and Treasury for Dixon.
282. Telegram 4080 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State
Former Treasury Secretary Connally commented on the U.S. Presidential campaign, expressing confidence in President Nixon’s reelection, and he and Indian Prime Minister Gandhi discussed the political situation in India.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 US/Connally. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Also designated as CONTO 259. Sent with instructions to pass to the White House for Davis, and Treasury for Dixon.
283. Telegram 4081 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State
Former Treasury Secretary Connally reported that Indian Prime Minister Gandhi’s attitude was pleasant and courteous throughout the conversation, even when the exchanges became rather frank.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 US/Connally. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Also designated as CONTO 260. Sent with instructions to pass to the White House for Davis, and Treasury for Dixon.
284. Telegram 4085 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State
In the first of a seven part report on his conversation with Pakistani President Bhutto in Rawalpindi on July 6, Former Treasury Secretary Connally noted that he opened the conversation by indicating that President Nixon had instructed him to inform Bhutto about his trips to Peking and Moscow, and to discuss other issues of mutual interest.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 US/Connally. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Also designated as CONTO 263. Sent with instructions to pass to Islamabad, New Delhi, Dacca, the White House for Davis, and Treasury for Dixon.
285. Telegram 4086 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State
Former Treasury Secretary Connally and Pakistani President Bhutto discussed the U.S. Presidential campaign.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 US/Connally. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Also designated as CONTO 264. Sent with instructions to pass to Islamabad, New Delhi, Dacca, the White House for Davis, and Treasury for Dixon.
286. Telegram 4087 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State
Pakistani President Bhutto outlined the trying circumstances in Pakistan he had to deal with since becoming president. He discussed the difficulties of reaching an understanding with Awami League President Rahman that would enable him to recognize Bangladesh.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 US/Connally. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Also designated as CONTO 265. Sent with instructions to pass to Islamabad, New Delhi, Dacca, the White House for Davis, and Treasury for Dixon.
287. Telegram 4088 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State
Pakistani President Bhutto offered a pessimistic assessment of the Simla conference and the prospects for future dealings with India.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 US/Connally. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Also designated as CONTO 266. Sent with instructions to pass to Islamabad, New Delhi, Dacca, the White House for Davis, and Treasury for Dixon.