Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–7, Documents on South Asia, 1969–1972
Document 88
88. Telegram Secto 70 From Secretary of State
Rogers
to the
Department of State
1
2
New York
,
October 24, 1970, 1900Z

Subj:
Secretary’s Visit to
UN
: Call on Prime Minister
Gandhi
.
1.
Summary. Secretary raised
US
arms sale to Pakistan and expressed hope Indian reactions would be kept in perspective. Prime Minister made clear that
GOI
was agitated over issue and expressed belief reaction would become even more extreme when Parliament convenes in November. She claimed arms given to Pakistan could only be used against India. At request Foreign Minister, Secretary agreed
US
to consider making clearer publicly that arms package was one-time exception. Secretary pointed out that many actions of
GOI
appeared unbalanced against
US
and contrary to India’s expressed policy of non-alignment. Foreign Minister claimed India makes its own policy and not result Soviet pressure. Secretary pointed out difficulty
USG
had with members of Congress, particularly House Appropriations Committee, who felt India not pursuing a balanced approach. Prime Minister made oblique and unspecific accusations that
US
interfering in Indian internal affairs. Efforts of Secretary and
Sisco
to elicit specific charges were unavailing. A meeting was arranged between the Secretary and Foreign Minister Singh for Saturday, October 24, to discuss Indian accusations further.
2.
Place: Carlyle Hotel, Mrs.
Gandhi
’s suite. Participants: Secretary
Sisco
,
Schneider
and Blackiston. Indians: Prime Minister
Gandhi
, Foreign Minister Sawarn Singh; Foreign Secretary T.K. Kaul; Ambassador to
US
Jha
; Mr.
Haksar
, Secretary to Prime Minister.
3.
As conversations opened, Secretary expressed hope that
FonMin
Singh could stay on and see him in Washington after sign indicated his plan to return with Prime Minister.
4.
Secretary indicated pleasure at opportunity to talk

with Mrs.
Gandhi
. Raising subject
US
offer of military equipment to Pakistan, Secretary said he had been authorized to say on behalf of the President that this was one-time decision. It does not at all involve going any further. It does not represent the beginning of a new policy or any change in policy. Secretary explained we appreciated views of
GOI
on
US
offer and hoped Indian reaction was under control and in perspective.
5.
Mrs.
Gandhi
replied that reaction in press and among political parties would become more sharp when Parliament convenes. When Secretary indicated
US
accustomed to criticism, Mrs. Ghadhi replies this was not unfair criticism. Just at point when it seemed there could be better relations the spiral starts again. Secretary inquired if our decision had effect on Indo-
Pak
relations. Prime Minister replied this has hurt relations between
US
and India. Pakistan will step up its propaganda. “They cannot use arms against anyone but us.” “We do not think china is going to attack us but we cannot withdraw our forces from the frontiers.”
Pak
does not have this problem. “Reaction in India is very sharp.”
6.
Secretary said we think we have done the right thing. He expressed surprise that Indians have not reacted similarly against Russia and France for their arms supply to Pakistan. Prime Minister indicated same objections prevail to Russian arms supply. Pakistan, she said, has already used
US
arms against us despite pledges previously made. When a country starts collecting arms sooner or later it will use them. Secretary replied we are just not in a position to cut off our relations with Pakistan. We have done a great deal economically for both India and Pakistan. Prime Minister expressed view that
US
relations with Pakistan would not suffer even if no arms given. Secretary said we considered our position to be balanced between India and Pakistan. However, we have not always felt India’s non-aligned policy balanced. Secretary repeated his authorization by President to state that Pakistan arms deal was one-time affair. He expressed desire for good relations and said
USG
does not wish to do things to hurt India but we do have to take into consideration
US
national interest. We wish to cooperate with India, but feel
US
has been unfairly criticized by
GOI
. Prime Minister said India has had much in common with
US
but “some things affect us deeply.”
7.
Secretary responded that “some matters affect us deeply.” He noted
US
casualties of over 40,000 Americans killed in Vietnam. Regarding Vietnam we have done everything we have been asked to do. We have unanimity of
US
public opinion regarding this issue and many non-aligned countries near hostilities agree with us. Prime Minister expressed belief
US
desired to stop spread of communism and contain China. We don’t think it has done this. Secretary said policy has succeeded with countries on periphery of China. They have done very well economically and they are appreciative of our efforts. The farther you get from the scene, the less appreciation there is. Prime Minister said time will tell. Secretary noted that in Cambodia the population supports Lon Nol government. Foreign Minister noted that India is the closest to China having mutual frontier. Secretary inquired whether India did not have concern over China. Foreign Minister said “yes, we do.” Prime Minister said Pakistan has very close relations with China.
Sisco
noted that this is why
US
thinks that we should have good relations with Pakistan Government; more influence
US
has in Pakistan better it is for Indian American parallel interests.
8.
Kaul
said Pakistan will get more arms from China and Soviets used same argument regarding supply of arms to Pakistan that
US
does.
Sisco
expressed hope current situation would not be blown out of all proportions. The arms agreement with Pakistan was a one-time exception. Foreign Minister said it was difficult for
GOI
to state in Parliament that it was “one time” unless
USG
had said this in public. Secretary responded that “we can think about this.”
Schneider
noted that Ambassador
Keating
has already told press in New Delhi it was one-time exception.
Kaul
raised question of whether it was “limited” exception or “one time” exception. Secretary and
Sisco
said
USG
will consider making clearer publicly that this was a one-time exception.
9.
Secretary observed that
US
and India have had good relations and it would not be desirable to let this situation get out of hand.
US
Congress does not think India appreciates what we have done for it. Congress believes India’s non-aligned policy is aligned against us and this is attitude of many people on the House Appropriations Committee. We appreciate Prime Minister views but we have reaction in our own country. Prime Ministry said “this is because they don’t understand what India stands for. We are fighting for our survival.” She stated that if she approved a policy contrary to that which she was following, she would be “wiped out.” “I have been fighting for this all my life.” The people know I am trying to take the country in a direction they want it to go. Indian people will not have a dictatorship. “They are too politically conscious.” India has never done something just because the
USSR
wants it. Our decisions are our own. However, the
USSR
generally follows policies of the Afro-Asian countries.
10.
Secretary noted
US
has fought wars for freedom.
US

does not expect everyone to agree with us but we do not like unjustified criticism. We have done a lot for many countries. Every American in this room has fought not only for our freedom but for that of other countries as well. Prime Minister said she does not personally care who criticized her either inside or out of the country. She did whatever was necessary “even if it cost her her life.”
11.
Prime Minister said that since we are speaking frankly “there is a great deal of interference in our internal affairs.” Secretary asked for explanation and details. What was the Prime Minister referring to? He noted that former
FonMin
Denesh Singh had made similar accusations about our cultural centers. Prime Minister said “it is very difficult to say. It is support to people who are against us.” “In my father’s time it was to those people who opposed him.” Secretary said if there was anything Prime Minister could point to, we will certainly stop it. He said he was very unhappy about the previous Foreign Minister’s comments about our cultural centers. “I wrote him and asked him what he meant.” He replied that he didn’t mean us but then only our centers were closed. Secretary said he would like Foreign Minister to think about what had been said and let him know the specifics.
Sisco
commented that we did not know what Prime Minister meant when she referred in recent speech to economic pressured. He said that when
US
gives india millions of dollars of aid it is for common purposes and not with political strings. We do not understand such references to pressures. Secretary said we have no desire to pressure you. The easiest thing for the
US
is to become isolationist.
12.
Secretary and
Sisco
will meet privately with Foreign Minister Singh and Ambassador
Jha
in follow-up meeting Saturday, October 24.
Rogers
Contents
Press Release
Preface
Sources
Abbreviations