Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–7, Documents on South Asia, 1969–1972
Document 304
304. Telegram 3739 From Secretary of State
Rogers
to the
Department of State
1
2
New York
,
October 6, 1972, 2300Z
Memorandum of Conversation: FM Singh (INDIA) October 5, 1972; 11:30 a.m. Waldorf 35A; Part II of II Indian Allegations Regarding
CIA
Activities
1.
Participants: India-Foreign Minister Singh; Ambassador Sen,
UN
; Ambassador
Jha
,
US
;
US
-The Secretary, Mr. Pedersen, Mr.
Sisco
, Mr. Bray, Mr.
Schneider
, Country Director (reporting officer).
2.
Summary: Secretary indicated
USG
perplexed by Mrs.
Gandhi
’s allegations regarding
CIA
activities. Singh insisted India had its own reports proving improper
CIA
activities. Claimed these activities might not be known to
US
policy officials as it well known
CIA
was separate from administration and functioned in independent manner. Secretary said this clearly not true.
USG
had no desire interfere in Indian affairs and India thought it had evidence against
CIA
it should present it privately. The Secretary strongly criticized
GOI
for making statement in public and claiming it was up to
CIA
to disprove allegations. Said such false charges would have most

harmful effect on
US
/India relations.
3.
Secretary initiated discussion this subject saying he was perplexed at Prime Minister
Gandhi
’s public remarks regarding
CIA
activities in India. Initially Singh tried to side step issue in lighthearted manner saying Mrs.
Gandhi
paid compliment to
CIA
for its activities. Secretary replied this clearly not our understanding of her remark and
Sisco
set out details of allegations by Congress President and Chief Ministers which made clear to us Prime Minister’s meaning.
4.
Singh then shifted tactics referring to previous discussions with Secretary of this subject. Said while perhaps it is not easy for either side to prove what taking place, it has not been difficult for
GOI
to come to know of
CIA
activities.
GOI
has its own sources and knows that
CIA
has been in contact with people in India in “abnormal ways”. Said
GOI
aware function of such intelligence organizations is to get information, and influence people. For example,
GOI
had information that proceedings of Congress working committee were known to
US
officials within two hours of meetings. Said when this happens it offends people. Singh concluded that it would be good if as result present controversy activities of Americans in India would become more cautious.
5.
In reply Secretary said he couldn’t emphasize too much how harmful these false accusations are to
US
/India relations. Particularly disturbing was Prime Minister’s statement that India did not have to prove activities but that it was up to
CIA
to disprove them. This was offensive and contrary to our democratic traditions. Secretary took particular exception to India’s making charges in public saying President
Nixon
feels as strongly about this as he does. Said if India has suspicions it should raise them with
USG
privately first. Said we would examine them and if necessary take corrective action.
6.
Singh continued that
CIA
is known to act in ways not

in interest of established governments. India is not exception to this. While India does not have judicial proof—and prefers not to resort to use of tape recorders and other devices to produce such proof—it has no doubt about activities. Singh then said he was sure Secretary knew that
CIA
sometimes functioned in ways not known to policy level officials of administration and on occasion may be reluctant to send information regarding their activities to such officials. Claimed
CIA
was separate from administration, saying there was general understanding
CIA
acted on its own.
7.
Secretary replied this is clearly not so. We know precisely what such organizations do. Furthermore,
USG
hasn’t slightest interest in interfering in India.
Sisco
emphasized that Ambassador Keating had known everything about
CIA
in india. He had been scrupulous in inquiring of
GOI
for specific allegations which he could look into. We had pursued this issue with
GOI
in 1970 and it has been unable to backup charges. We have been trying to get into dialogue with
GOI
but these allegations poison atmosphere.
8.
Secretary then repeated that
US
hadn’t any interest whatsoever in creating difficulties within India. Inquired again why
GOI
had made public statements. Such statements gave us the impression India either deliberately trying to cause trouble or a little paranoiac. If India makes these unsubstantiated charges this will be harmful to our relations.
Rogers