169. Memorandum From Director of Central Intelligence Colby to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)1 2
Washington, June 22, 1974.
SUBJECT:
- Prospects for an Indian Nuclear Force
Attached is an interagency intelligence memorandum just completed on this subject. You will no doubt already have seen the 18 June CIA report [text not declassified] which arrived shortly before the memorandum was finished. It confirms a number of our judgments—in particular the idea that India is considering military applications of its nuclear capability and possible sources of delivery systems but has not yet firmly committed itself to a weapons program. In this regard, I call your particular attention to two of our findings:
- (a)
- US and Soviet positions could have a considerable influence on India’s decision with respect to whether or not to produce nuclear weapons.
- (b)
- An Indian request to the USSR to supply a long-range bomber, and Soviet agreement to do so, is a possibility that should be taken into account.
W.E. Colby
- Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Executive Registry Files, Job 80–M01048A, Box 3. Secret. Printed from a copy that indicates Colby signed the original. Attached but not printed are an interagency intelligence memorandum on “Prospects for an Indian Nuclear Force” and [text not declassified].↩
- DCI Colby submitted intelligence that confirmed that the Indian Government was considering possible military applications of its nuclear capability but had not yet established a weapons program.↩