Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–7, Documents on South Asia, 1969–1972

252. Telegram 67415 From the Department of State to the Embassy in India¹ ²

Washington, April 19, 1972, 1650Z

1. We take serious exception to Foreign Minister’s April 17 statement in Parliament in regard to Vietnam. We consider this official GOI policy statement is most disturbing indication of Indian attitude regarding matter of great interest to USG.

2. Therefore Ambassador should seek urgent appointment with Foreign Minister to discuss GOI statement. Ambassador should say we consider this particularly unbalanced comment on matter of very great interest to USG. We regard this statement as a further unfriendly act on part of GOI. FonMin’s statement is especially unfortunate in light of earlier USG demarche to Indian Ambassador in Washington.

3. As further indication of seriousness with which USG views Indian Vietnam policy, for next two weeks Ambassador should hold to minimum his contacts with Indian officials and maintain formal stance during such contacts. For this period Ambassador should attend no social events hosted by GOI officials.

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL INDIA-US. Secret; Priority; Nodis. Drafted on April 18 by Schneider; cleared in NEA by Davies, in EA by Deputy Assistant Secretary William H. Sullivan, and in the White House by Sonnenfeldt; and approved by Irwin.
2. Ambassador Keating was instructed to lodge a strong objection to the statement made by the Indian Foreign Minister in Parliament on April 17 concerning Vietnam. The U.S. considered the statement to be “a further unfriendly act on part of GOI,” and Keating was instructed to minimize his contacts with Indian officials for 2 weeks.