174. Telegram From the Embassy in India to the Department of State1
5297. Vienna for IAEA. Subject: PriMin Gandhi’s Nuclear Policy.
1. (U) Mrs. Gandhi March 13 responded to questions in the Upper House of Parliament on nuclear matters. An official text of the exchange will not be available until March 14.2 Indian Wire Service (UNI) report follows. PTI report does not differ significantly.
2. Begin text. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi today reaffirmed India’s commitment to the peaceful uses of atomic energy but added that it would not hesitate from carrying out “nuclear explosion or implosion, whatever is necessary, in the national interests.”
She told the Rajya Sabha at question time: “We remain committed to the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes. However, the government must look after the interests of the country and study this question in depth. The Prime Minister said we must have our eyes and ears open (to what had been happening in this region) and be in touch with the latest technology. We should not be caught napping.”
Since the tension had of late been developing in the region, she pointed out, there was a need for an in depth study of the whole issue.
Replying to another question, she said the matter had to be viewed from the standpoint “whether our entering into the race will safeguard our interest or endanger it.”
Since India had been assured by some of its neighbors which had been developing nuclear technology that their intention was to use it for peaceful purposes, “we believe it.” The government’s efforts would be to lessen tension in the area, she added.
When a questioner insisted on knowing whether the government would deviate from the policy of the previous government “against carrying out nuclear explosion come what may,” Mrs. Gandhi expressed her inability to precisely explain the policy pursued by the Janata or the Lok Dal governments.
[Page 460]She quoted some statements of then Prime Minister Morarji Desai indicating a difference in stance.
Mrs. Gandhi quoted Mr. Desai as having said in the Rajya Sabha on July 13, 1977 that his government would do whatever necessary (in the nuclear field) in consultation with other people.3 Who were these “other people”, she asked.
She said the Atomic Energy Department was not kept informed of the government’s policy (by the then Prime Minister).
For some time the Janata government was totally against nuclear explosion she said.
Mrs. Gandhi also quoted from Mr. Desai’s statement of November 13, the same year, to the effect that there was nothing new in his (Mr. Desai’s) nuclear policy as it was the same as laid down by Jawaharlal Nehru.
Mrs. Gandhi said the “caretaker government” did deviate from the policy when Mr. Charan Singh had said that India would reconsider its policy if Pakistan persisted in its efforts to make a nuclear bomb. End text.
3. (C) Comment: While as expected Mrs. Gandhi continues to avoid a categorical repudiation of PNEs in these exchanges, it is noteworthy that she weighs their advisability in terms of the national interest and raises the question of whether such a course might endanger rather than strengthen India’s security.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800128–1189. Confidential; Immediate. Sent for information to Colombo, Bombay, Calcutta, Dacca, Islamabad, Kathmandu, Madras, and Vienna.↩
- Telegram 5389 from New Delhi, March 14, transmitted the text of the March 13 exchange between Gandhi and members of Parliament. The Embassy noted: “Though its published form has a relatively smooth flow, actual discussion was raucous and spirited, involving members’ interjections, rejoinders, unanswered questions, incomplete thoughts—alternatively expressed in Hindi and English.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800141–0107)↩
- See Document 78.↩