Office of the Historian

148. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to President Carter1

Washington, July 15, 1979

SUBJECT

  • Implications of Desai Resignation

Morarji Desai has resigned as Prime Minister of India.2 According to Embassy Delhi, the likely successor is Defense Minister Jagjivan Ram, the 71 year old token untouchable who has been in every Indian government since independence. Ram is an adroit politician, but mainly known for his personal corruption—which even by Indian standards reaches heroic proportions. (C)

Ram would probably not change Indian foreign policy significantly although Vajpayee will almost certainly be dismissed as Foreign Minister. Ram has, however, recently been closely associated with big military spending and pro-bomb groups. He will thus likely be harder for us to deal with in these areas, but probably not much more so than any other likely successor to Desai. (C)

Any replacement for Desai is likely to be a stopgap. The political disarray, economic indecisiveness and social tensions that brought about Desai’s downfall will not change significantly. Also, with Mrs. Gandhi’s political fortunes at a low ebb, there is no leader of stature in India who could provide leadership for the nation. For all of his [Page 398] faults, Ram does have a national reputation and following, and is probably the best available choice.3 (C)

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 28, India: 10/78–12/79. Confidential. Printed from an uninitialed copy. Carter initialed the memorandum at the top of the page.↩
  2. Telegram 12352 from New Delhi, July 15, reported that “Morarji Desai submitted his resignation as Prime Minister this evening (July 15) to President Sanjiva Reddy. The President reportedly asked him to stay on as caretaker Prime Minister until alternate arrangements are made.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790319–1141)↩
  3. In a July 18 memorandum, Vance informed Carter that “President Reddy today asked Congress Party Leader Y.B. Chavan to form a new government when it became apparent that neither Jagjivan Ram or Charan Singh could put together a parliamentary majority. Chavan was Foreign Minister under Indira Gandhi but broke with her last year. If he fails to form a government, Reddy would likely turn to Ram—or call for elections, a prospect only Mrs. Gandhi and her supporters would relish.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 22, Evening Reports (State): 7/79)↩