Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–7, Documents on South Asia, 1969–1972
Document 69
69. Telegram 8424 From the
Embassy in India
to the
Department of State
1
2
New Delhi
,
July 16, 1970, 1615Z
Subject:
Military Supply Policy

1.
During my call on Minister of External Affairs,
Swaran Singh
, July 16, he inquired about the status of the U.S. military supply policy to South Asia.
2.
I cited the Secretary’s statement that the policy is “under active consideration” and noting this has been the case for some time stated that the matter is now before the highest U.S. Government levels for decision which has not been imparted to me.
3.
Swaran Singh
referring to the issue as an emotionally very difficult one in India, and said there is universal concern here about furnishing arms to Pakistan. Moreover, any such supply has economic and military implications, necessitating Indian arms increases to counter an increased Pakistani threat and diverting Indian resources from its economic development. As a recent former Defense Minister, he said, he could attest to the seriousness with which this issue is viewed. He then launched into a lengthy commentary on Pakistan’s obtaining arms from the
USSR
and China. He asserted that Pakistan has a military alliance with China and when I queried him he reiterated that this is unquestionably the fact. The Sino-Pakistan alliance, he said, is not a general one against all comers, but a specific alliance against India. In event of Indian trouble with China, Pakistan would surely be on China’s side against India. India is bordered on two fronts by Pakistan and while it does not fear direct attack by Pakistan alone, if there were any difficulties, Pakistan would

under its military alliance come to China’s aid and vice-versa. “You can rely on it completely,” he said, “that such a Sino-Pakistan alliance exists.” Therefore, the issue of military supply policy to Pakistan is one of deep military as well as economic and emotional concern to India.
4.
I said the military supply matter has long been under
USG
consideration with obviously some differences of opinion, which in the final analysis would have to be resolved by the President. I recognized that the reaction to any U.S. supply or third country supply with U.S. approval would have significant repercussions in India. I reminded the Minister that since the restrictive U.S. policy was established in 1967 there had been only one exception and that was in favor of India and has never been divulged by the U.S. to Pakistan. Currently, there is a pending exception again in favor of India but I do not know the outcome at this point. The Minister indicated a familiarity with both exceptions.
5.
I told the Minister I would think that Indian feelings concerning any military supply decision would depend to some degree upon whether that decision constituted a change of policy or a single exception similar to the two previously mentioned whether it constituted a net addition or mere replacement of materiel, and whether the items concerned were essentially offensive or defensive in character.
6.
Swaran Singh
replied that I cannot understand why Pakistan needs any additional weapons, defensive or not. Pakistan says that India is its only enemy and has the alliance with China. He said he, himself, has privately and publicly asserted that India will never cross the ceasefire line in Kashmir or Indo-
Pak
borders forcefully. India will resist but never invade. What India wants is better relations with Pakistan, and no one favors an aggressive policy against Pakistan. However, most military equipment that Pakistan has been getting and seeking is useful for offensive purposes. He added that one reason India would never invade Pakistan is that this would add tremendously to India’s communal problems and that is the last thing India wants.
7.
I told the Minister that iI had been assured that before any

action was taken on any U.S. arms sale to Pakistan I would be informed about it in order to be able to advise the
GOI
authoritatively so that they would not read about it first in newspapers.
8.
Swaran Singh
who earlier in our discussion had stressed his sincere desire to have better and more cordial relations with me and the U.S. and to spare no effort in that regard then said that any military supply to Pakistan decision would greatly impair what he as Minister of External Affairs is bent on doing; namely, improving Indo-American relations.
Keating
Contents
Press Release
Preface
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