278. Editorial Note
President Ayub and Prime Minister Shastri met at Tashkent in the Soviet Union January 4–10, 1966, to discuss the conflict that had recently grown out of the long-standing Kashmir dispute. Soviet Chairman Kosygin played an active role during the talks in promoting the agreement that was signed on January 10. By the terms of the “Tashkent Declaration,” India and Pakistan agreed to the complete withdrawal of all armed personnel of the two countries to the positions they held prior to August 5, 1965, this withdrawal to be achieved by February 25, 1966. Both countries reaffirmed their obligation under the UN Charter “not to have recourse to force and to settle their disputes through peaceful means.” Against the backdrop of that statement, Kashmir was discussed, a discussion in which each side “set forth its respective position.” Both countries expressed a “firm resolve to restore normal and peaceful relations,” including commitments to repatriate POWs, restore normal diplomatic relations, consider measures aimed at restoring economic, trade, communications, and cultural relations, and “to discourage” propaganda directed against the other country. Both countries agreed to continue meeting as necessary “on matters of direct concern.” For text of the Tashkent Declaration, see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1966, pages 680–681.
Indian Prime Minister Shastri died in Tashkent on January 11 of a heart attack. Minister of Home Affairs G.L. Nanda was sworn in as interim Prime Minister. Nanda was not regarded in Washington as [Page 531] likely to maintain the position in the contest that would develop within the Congress Party to succeed Shastri. (Memorandum from Hughes to Rusk, January 10; National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Conference Files: Lot 67 D 305, CF 4)