S/S Files: Lot 63 D 351: NSC 98 Series
Note by the Executive Secretary (Lay) to the National Security
Council
top secret
NSC 98/1
Washington, January 22,
1951.
The Position of the United States With Respect
to South Asia
References: A. NSC
Action No. 4212
- B. NSC 98
- C. Memo for NSC from
Executive Secretary, same subject, dated January 17,
1951
The enclosed draft statement of policy on the subject, a revision of
NSC 98 prepared by the NSC Staff pursuant to NSC Action No. 421, is submitted
herewith for consideration by the National Security Council at its
meeting on January 24, 1951.3
It is recommended that, if the enclosed statement of policy is
adopted, it be forwarded to the President for consideration with the
recommendation that he approve it and direct its implementation by
all appropriate executive departments and agencies of the U.S.
Government under the coordination of the Secretary of State.
[Page 1651]
[Enclosure]
Draft Statement of Policy Proposed by the
National Security Council on South Asia
(India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Ceylon and
Nepal)
1. The United States objective with respect to South Asia is to
improve the security position of the United States. In this
connection, India and Pakistan are the key nations of the
area.
2. The loss of India to the Communist orbit would mean that for
all practical purposes all of Asia will have been lost; this
would constitute a serious threat to the security position of
the United States. The loss of China, the immediate threat to
Indochina and the balance of Southeast Asia, the invasion of
Tibet, and the reverses in Korea have greatly increased the
significance to the United States of the political strategic
manpower and resource potential of the countries of South Asia
and made it more important that this potential be marshalled on
the side of the United States. India, especially, and Pakistan
as well, possess leaders having great prestige throughout the
whole of Asia; the future support of these countries
diplomatically and in the United Nations is of great importance;
India in particular has certain strategic materials of
importance to our national defense; all these considerations
emphasize the necessity for continuation of free and friendly
non-Communist governments in South Asia, especially in India and
Pakistan, and of improved stability in the area.
3. Accordingly, the situation in Asia is now so critical that the
following inter-related objectives with regard to South Asia
should be achieved for the purpose of improving the security
position of the United States:
-
a.
- Development of sound enduring friendly relations
between the United States and the various countries of
the region.
-
b.
- Continuance in power of non-Communist governments in
the countries of South Asia and the strengthening of
their individual and collective ability and
determination to resist communist imperialism in Asia,
and their association with the United States and
like-minded countries in opposition to communism.
-
c.
- Increased South Asian participation in, responsibility
for, and contribution to the solution of problems
arising in Asia.
-
d.
- Development of an attitude in South Asia which would
assist the United States and its allies to obtain the
facilities desired in time of peace or required in the
event of war, and which would prevent the USSR from
obtaining military support or assistance from these
nations, either directly or indirectly.
-
e.
- Access by the United States and friendly countries to
the resources and markets of the region and the creation
of conditions which would lead the governments of South
Asia to deny their resources to the Soviet bloc.
4. Accordingly, the United States, while continuing talks with
the
[Page 1652]
British on the
ways and means by which US–UK policies and actions with respect
to South Asia can be better coordinated toward achieving mutual
objectives, should:
-
a.
- Undertake in the first instance with India and
Pakistan and at later stages with other South Asian
countries more intimate consultation and encourage those
governments to consult more frankly with us.
-
b.
- Support the adherence on the part of South Asian
countries to United Nations organizations and give
friendly aid to their achieving their rightful place in
such organizations.
-
c.
- If a desire for a regional association of
non-communist countries arises in South Asia and a basis
for its success exists, be sympathetic with the efforts
of the leaders and consider to what extent the United
States should encourage or associate itself with the
movement.
-
d.
- Expand United States information and education
programs for South Asia, (giving priority to the program
in India and Pakistan) in order to assist in integrating
the political, the manpower and the material resources
of that area with those of the non-communist
world.
-
e.
- While avoiding assumption of responsibility for
economic welfare and development, continue to encourage
the creation of an atmosphere favorable to economic
development in South Asia and to the expansion of trade
along multilateral non-discriminatory lines consistent
with U.S. security interests, with a view to promoting
economic conditions that will contribute to political
stability.
-
f.
- Provide economic assistance which will contribute to
stability of the area generally, and particularly to the
economic progress of India and Pakistan, but for which
internal and external public and private investment may
not be adequate, having in mind the political urgency of
reversing the trend towards economic deterioration and
of improving the western orientation of India in
particular, and the strategic interest to the United
States of greater facilitation on the part of South
Asian governments of the transfer to the United States
of materials needed for stockpiling or other purposes
related to national security.
-
g.
- Provide, as far as practicable in the light of other
demands of higher priority, the requirements especially
of India and Pakistan and generally of the other South
Asian countries for military supplies, equipment and
services not available from other sources and required
for internal security, legitimate needs for
self-defense, or participation in the defense of the
area.
-
h.
- Seek to obtain such military rights in South Asia as
the U.S. Government may determine to be
essential.
-
i.
- Take all possible action consistent with U.S. security
interests to prevent the USSR, its European satellites
and communist areas in Asia from obtaining through or
from South Asian countries supplies of strategic
materials and equipment currently being denied them by
the United States, placing special emphasis on
India.
-
j.
- Continue efforts to improve Indo-Pakistan4 and Afghan-Pakistan
relations.5
