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

282. Telegram 4080 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State¹ ²

Tehran, July 7, 1972, 2135Z

Subj:

• Secretary Connally Travel: Memorandum of General Conversation With Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at Governor’s Residence, Simla, on July 5, 1972: Part VI of VII: US Political Situation

1. I then volunteered to discuss the American domestic political situation if Prime Minister was interested. She clearly was. I went through the rise and fall of many Democratic candidates in the last 18 months and finally came to the conclusion that it now appeared that McGovern would be nominated and that, if this was the case, it would be very decisive event within the Democratic Party. I pointed out that only recently the Credentials Sub-committee had refused to seat Mayor Daley and 55 delegates from Chicago. I thought this was grave and disturbing decision not only in Chicago and Illinois, but throughout the country. I briefly commented that I thought the traditional link with labor and the minorities and South, which put together the Democratic Party, was falling apart. The South had basically departed from its Democratic tradition and labor had become about as conservative politically and socially as any segment of American society. I anticipated President Nixon would get a high percentage, of the labor vote, notwithstanding the fact that a substantial number of labor leaders would be for the Democratic nominee. In conclusion, I thought the outcome would clearly be the re-election of the President. This was why he was trying to do so many things in the diplomatic, economic and monetary fields—so that he might have some momentum in each of them to work with during his second term.

2. I then complimented Mrs. Gandhi on her political success in India and she obviously was pleased. She then went on to say that, despite the success and parliamentary strength of the Congress Party, she still had domestic political problems. There was, for example, some opposition from even within the ranks of her own party and she had to contend with other parties. Political success, in short, carries its own problems.

3. Finally as we walked out the Prime Minister asked me to convey her warmest regards to President Nixon and Mrs. Nixon and expressed her gratitude for the gift I had presented her.

Connally

1. 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.
2. 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.