71. Telegram From the Embassy in India to the Department of State1
2912. In paying farewell call on Prime Minister May 20 before going on home leave, I said that there were number of matters that I would like to discuss with him before departing, chief among them being matter of most concern to me, state of Indo-US relations (other items reported separately).
Prime Minister replied that he felt that Indo-US relations were good; only thing that disturbed them from time to time was matter of our military assistance to Pakistan. He said GOI had recently received information that we had supplied four hundred amphibious vehicles to Pakistan and that these obviously could not be used against Russia. Sometime ago, probably before he had become President, General Ayub had referred to matter of “riverine defense”. This, of course, could only mean India, and amphibious vehicles could only be used in [Page 170] such context. Prime Minister observed that actually often best way to strengthen a country militarily was to build up its economy and thus to form strong base on which moderate military organization could be supported. Other than this matter of military aid to Pakistan, Prime Minister thought there were no problems between India and US.
He observed that Mr. Black’s visit had been fruitful and seemed greatly pleased at progress which had been made in talks. I remarked that Mr. Black had told me of his (Prime Minister’s) helpful and constructive attitude. I hoped that if canal waters question were solved this might lead to the solution of other problems. Prime Minister said that this would be big step and perhaps one thing would lead to another. He then referred to what he called “silly and useless” border incidents which were constantly taking place and worsening relations between two countries. Good deal of border trade which had in past been useful to both countries was being held up. Border was being demarcated, though process was going rather slowly, and by mutual agreement disputed areas had been excluded. Aside from this matter of border trade, however, return of overall trade between India and Pakistan could be tremendously helpful to both countries.
I took occasion here to mention to Prime Minister Ambassador Langley’s estimate of General Ayub as being sincerely desirous of improving Indo-Pakistan relations and of bringing about peaceful solution of problems which are troubling them. I added that Ambassador Langley felt that General Ayub had grown in stature and in sense of responsibility during his tenure as President of Pakistan, and that in spite of an occasional statement in press conference in answer to a difficult question which may have sounded hostile, General Ayub was sincere in his desire to come to an understanding with India.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.91/5–2159. Secret. Repeated to Karachi.↩