New York, 6 June 1966

Dear Dr. Kissinger,

As suggested by you I have outlined below the book I intend
writing on the merging power patterns in Asia. But before I go into
that, I should like to set down my reasons for wanting to do this
book at this stage.

It is my firm conviction that in the coming months and years
it is Asian events which will significantly shape and influence the
international scene for the next few decades. I do not see any other
crisis area in the world as potentially explosive as Asia, and it also
seems strange to me that no thought-provoking point of view by an
Asian has been projected in recent years which shows an insight into
some of the nuances of Asian politics which could otherwise be over-
looked by non-Asian analysts. Such a viewpoint - if it were provocative
enough - could also help to clear the air of cant which clouds vital
issues; at the very least it would not be dismissed as anti-Asian, since
it would be the view of a responsible Asian.

Much more important than the above, however, is to spell out the
factors which determine the existing balance of power in Asia in a
manner which is both readable as well as profound in its analysis of
not only the existing politics of Asia and the historical, social and
economic factors which influence them, but which also projects the
possible trend of events on that continent in the coming years.

./.

Dr. Henry Kissinger
The Centre for International Affairs
Harvard University
6 Divinity Avenue
Cambridge, Massachusetts.

-2-

The book which I propose writing will deal with the politics of Mongolia, Korea, Japan, Formosa, North and South Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Burma, India, China and Pakistan as well as the relationship of these countries with Russia, the United States, Australia and some of the other Western powers. The role of these countries in the emerging power patterns of Asia will be analysed too, in detail, both in terms of their present day influence in this region as well as in the context of the historical influence some countries have had on the politics of different Asian nations.

The world is often baffled by the forces of disunity within some Asian countries which threaten their stability, and so I propose to discuss in my book the ideologically split factions as well as the different hostile religious groups which threaten the cohesiveness of such nations.

It is obvious that U.S. policies in Asia will undergo a radical change in the coming years and it is therefore vital to analyse the effect of those changes, such as a rapprochement between the United States of America and China, on the political situation within different countries in that region. By the same token, Russia's increasing concern with China's claims on Outer Mongolia and some USSR territories are also worth analysis and explanation. Russia's actions in Asia will depend on the course her relations take with China; if the present state of hostility between them continues, Russia's involvement with Asian countries - with the aim of containing China - will be great. There is always an alternative which has to be discussed, namely, what happens should China and Russia start reversing their present drift away from each other. All these aspects would be discussed as well as their influence on Asian politics.

China plays a key role on the Asian political scene. Since for the moment the initiative to create situations which can upset the present balance of power rests with her - and will continue to do so for some time to come - a penetrating analysis of her political successes and failures in recent years will be made. Developments at home will influence her politics abroad, and the leadership patterns within China will be examined for possible changes which could materially affect her external policies. Should Mao's exit and the consequent changes in leadership result in no major shift in China's policies, what sort of pattern for containing her will emerge insofar as other Asian countries, as well as the United States and the USSR are concerned. My aim is to review and re-examine afresh the political trends in Asia in context of China's openly declared and not-so-openly declared aspirations.

The setting up of an Asian defence system becomes an inescapable necessity in view of China's aims and purposes. But defence systems

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inspired by United States concerns in Asia rather than by the Asian
participants themselves, do not serve the purposes for which they are
designed. Since they are not initiated by the Asian countries themselves,
such countries as are members of these pacts become targets of attack and
antagonism by countries politically opposed to them. In the end result
instead of a unified opposition to would-be aggressors, a badly divided,
mutually hostile group of countries in sad disarray emerges. How this
problem can be best resolved will be analysed in this book.

I have set out only in brief what I propose to cover, but I hope
that this will give you some idea of what I have in mind. Since this
book would involved travelling in most of the countries I have mentioned
above, and since it would also involve extensive interviews with the
leadership of these countries, it is difficult for me to undertake the
project without the support of a foundation or institution such as yours.
My difficulty results mainly from India's present foreign exchange position
which has caused severe curbs to be placed on all foreign travel, etc.
Since this book would require at least a year away from India, both in
terms of travel in different parts of Asia and also a certain amount of
time which would have to be spent in the United Kingdom and the U.S.A. for
research, therefore, I do feel that a very minimum of $ 20,000 would be
required for this project. I am hoping you will be able to see your way
to helping me with this grant. I plan to take up this work towards the
end of September this year and I hope to finish my first draft of the book
by the end of 1967. Thereafter, I think the publication of the book would
be some time in the middle of 1968.

My book "India and the Future of Asia" is being published this coming
November by Alfred Knopf in the U.S., and Faber and Faber in the U.K. In it,
I have given more space to an analysis of the politics of India, though I
have also written at some length on the politics of Asia. To give you
an idea of the quality of my writing and my general calibre, I am going
to send you by June 15th page proofs of my above book. Alfred Knopf Inc.
assure me that they will have a spare set of proofs ready for me by the
middle of this month; as soon as I get them I shall forward them to you.

And now something about myself. I publish three magazines from New Delhi,
and edit one of them called "Design" which is very highly rated. I have
been writing on political subjects also for some time. I was invited to
the United States in 1961 under the Foreign Leader programme of the State
Department and before that I was a guest of the Federal Press Office of
the West German Government. I have been coming to the United States every
year to speak at some convention or the other and have also travelled
extensively through parts of Asia. The best recommendation ought to
however be my above book the page proofs of which I shall be sending you
soon.

I will be in New York till about July 5th and can be contacted
c/o Romen Basu, 1270 Fifth Avenue, Apartment 15 L, New York. My telephone
number in New York is 831-3431. After leaving New York I shall travel

[7]

June 16, 1966

Mr. Patwant Singh
1270 Fifth Avenue
Apt. 15L
New York, New York 10029

Dear Mr. Singh:

As I wrote you several days ago
Professor Kissinger is away until the
end of June. I do, however, want you
to know that the set of page proofs
of your book INDIA AND THE FUTURE
OF ASIA arrived today.

I know Professor Kissinger will
be interested in it.

Professor Klaasen
Secretary to

Sincerely yours,

be interested in it.
I know Professor Klaasen will
OF ASIA arrived today.
of your book INDIA AND THE FUTURE
to know that the set of trade books
end of June. I do, however, want you
Professor Klaasen is away until the
As I wrote you several days ago

Dear Mr. Singh:

New York, New York 10029
Apr. 16
1520 Fifth Avenue
Mr. Patmav Singh

June 16, 1966