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

317. Telegram 217378 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Pakistan¹ ²

Washington, November 30, 1972, 2242Z

Subject:

• Situation in South Asia

1. During year that has followed Indo-Pak war and UNSC resolutions of December 1971, USG has scrupulously avoided involvement in political issues resulting from war, out of conviction that impetus for peaceful solution these issues must come from states in area directly concerned. For this reason we warmly welcomed Simla agreement, as well as Delhi discussions in August designed keep that process moving.

2. This posture will continue to influence our policy in South Asia, as most recently demonstrated during UNGA focus on BD admission item. In conversations this subject with host government officials, action addressees should be especially guided by statement by Ambassador Phillips at conclusion UNGA debate [USUN 5166], amplified along following lines:

A. US continues to regard bilateral approach embodied in Simla agreement and discussions that have taken place in that context as major contribution to peace.

B. It remains our hope that the same constructive spirit of accommodation that resulted in the Simla agreement will extend to efforts by Pakistan and Bangladesh to find a basis for resolution of problems between them.

C. We regret the current impasse affecting the delineation/withdrawal process under Simla and the continued inability of Pakistan and Bangladesh to find the basis for talks.

D. At the same time we are encouraged by continuing efforts resolve individual issues as part larger process of attaining peaceful settlement in South Asia. In this connection, we also encouraged by the decisions of the Governments of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh to release some of the Pakistani and Bengalee civilians detained since the war and to take the first, urgently-needed steps on POW repatriation. We believe these actions hold promise for improvement atmosphere and are conducive to ultimate solution of outstanding issues.

E. Now that UNGA debate concluded, we hope as friend of all three states that there will be new and tangible steps that will demonstrate that all three governments mean what they say about wanting settlement in South Asia. As we see it, leadership in all three countries now have roughly equal opportunity to take and respond to initiatives that could bring real movement on variety of issues. We do not intend involve ourselves in any way in these efforts, nor do we propose pass judgment on positions of parties directly concerned. But as government that seeks closest possible relations with all states in the area, we see our own interests also served by redoubled efforts among all those involved.

3. Above guidance intended for general use when subject of India-Pakistan-Bangladesh problem comes up in discussions with officials. We would not expect addressees would take initiative to present above points.

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL INDIA–PAK. Confidential. Drafted by Laingen; cleared by Schneider and Meyer, and in IO/UNP by John Kimball; and approved by Sisco. Also sent to New Delhi and Dacca. Repeated to London, Kabul, Tehran, Ankara, Colombo, and USUN.
2. Guidance from the Department of State to the Embassies in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh stipulated that negotiations relating to a peace settlement in South Asia should be left to the countries directly involved, without U.S. mediation.