1. Editorial Note
On January 6, 1964, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru suffered a stroke that affected his ability to discharge his responsibilities as head of the Indian Government. Nehru’s illness prompted speculation within the U.S. Government concerning its impact upon India and upon negotiations with the Indian Government. It also opened speculation concerning Nehru’s likely successor. On January 9 Department of State Executive Secretary Benjamin H. Read sent a memorandum to Special Assistant for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy assessing the consequences of Nehru’s illness. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, India, Vol. I, Memos and Misc, 12/63–3/64) On January 16 Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs Phillips Talbot sent a memorandum to Secretary of State Rusk analyzing the likely successors to Nehru from the perspective of U.S. policy. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 15–1 INDIA)