198. Editorial Note
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Recording of conversation between Nixon and Kissinger, January 1, 1972, 11:00–11:19 a.m., White House Tapes, Conversation No. 17125.
President Nixon and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Henry Kissinger discussed the aftermath of the crisis in South Asia in a telephone conversation on January 1, 1972. In the course of a general discussion of the impact of the crisis, Kissinger made the point that India needed to re establish better relations with the United States. He felt that the Gandhi Government would be concerned to offset the embrace of the Soviet Union and the concomitant growth of the Communist party and Communist influence in India. Discussion then turned to the question of the recognition of Bangladesh. Nixon said it was premature to consider such recognition. Kissinger pointed out that only India and Bhutan had recognized Bangladesh at that point.