281. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Pakistan0
1635. Following summary for information only and contents should not be disclosed to foreign officials. It is uncleared and subject to amendment upon review.
Pak Ambassador Ahmed had one hour discussion with Secretary April 23 on US arms aid to India. Ahmed stated GOP very perturbed over indications US intends go ahead with long-range military assistance to India in absence Kashmir solution. He then reviewed at length familiar arguments: Indians will reach accommodation with Chinese Communists; Chicoms have no intention resuming attack; already precarious military balance on subcontinent will be greatly upset by doubling of India’s arms budget taken together with outside aid; in view past history Indian actions in Hyderabad, Kashmir, Junagadh and Goa, GOP does not trust Indian intentions; India will use its superior military strength against neighbors, etc. GOP believes US has great leverage now with GOI and should use it get settlement Kashmir. If GOI concludes it will receive arms without Kashmir solution, then there will be no chance for solution.
Secretary stated we cognizant Pak concerns and fears and he was looking forward to full discussion all aspects problems with Ayub and Bhutto in Karachi. Said that we had not yet taken decisions on long-range arms aid to India but reports of various study groups were being examined and we were discussing matter with GOI. Perforce we viewed arms aid to India from somewhat different perspective than GOP. Secretary indicated our impression was that initial arms aid may have had something to do with Chicom cease-fire and that any future arms aid might act as deterrent to possible future Chinese aggression directed at subcontinent. Defense of subcontinent is of concern to all of us. In our own national interests we must get a clear signal to the Chinese about the consequences of further aggression. Pakistan could hardly be comfortable if another attack occurred. Defense of subcontinent, as well as whole Free World, is indivisible. Those issues which divide countries in non-Communist world must be solved in order present unified front to Communist pressure.
Next few months may be somber for all of us. Soviet domestic troubles, its relations with Peiping, failures in Iraq, Congo, and elsewhere [Page 556] are causing Soviets reappraise their policies. Possible outcome may be some retreat from policy coexistence to resumption more bellicose policy closer to stance of Chicoms. US trying probe in many ways Soviet intentions but we must be alert possibility we face dangerous period ahead during which Chicoms may push out against points on Free World perimeter. We must, therefore, view arms aid to India and defense subcontinent in context this possible threat. US cannot subject our over-all strategic objectives to settlement Kashmir, or any other single problem.
US, however, as Paks well know, is anxious for Kashmir settlement. Otherwise we would not be in present onerous position in middle between GOP and GOI. Kashmir dispute has cost us dearly. US has no brief for any particular settlement. Any settlement both sides can agree upon is satisfactory to us if it contributes to stability subcontinent and improved Indo-Pak relations.
Ahmed stated GOP interpreted US/UK “principles” as in effect advocating partition of Vale and GOP could never agree partition. Secretary said GOI apparently equally adamantly opposed to partition. At least two parties had agreed on what they could not accept and perhaps this would pave way for consideration other solutions.
In closing, Ahmed commented that US and GOP are in full agreement on gravity of world situation and objectives. Differences arose in tactics. In GOP view arms to India, unless preceded by easing of tensions in subcontinent, will not result in more secure subcontinent.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 19-3 US-INDIA. Secret; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Naas and Cameron and approved by Cameron. Repeated to New Delhi.↩