Office of the Historian

47. Telegram 6591 From the Embassy in India to the Department of State, the Interests Section in Syria, and the Embassy in the United Kingdom1

New Delhi, May 18, 1974, 0600Z.

6591. Damascus for the Secretary. London—Deliver immediately to Ambassador Moynihan. Subject: Indian Nuclear Test.

Foreign Secretary Kewal Singh called in the Chargé at 10 am May 18 to inform him that India has at 8 am on May 18 carried out a peaceful nuclear explosion. Saying that he was informing the U.S. Chargé before other diplomatic representatives and that he was carrying out the instructions of the Foreign Minister, Singh said that the explosion had been of an implosion device at a depth of over one hundred meters below ground. He explained that the experiment had been carried out by the Indian Atomic Energy Commission in order to keep India abreast of the technology concerning peaceful uses of nuclear energy for such purposes as mining and earth moving. Singh asked that there be no misunderstanding that India remains absolutely committed against the use of nuclear energy for military purposes.

2. The Chargé replied that he believed that this news would be received with considerable shock in Washington. Explained that as Kewal Singh knew, the U.S. did not believe it possible to distinguish between explosions for peaceful and military purposes. Singh repeated that India was absolutely opposed to military uses. There were large scale possibilities for use in mineral exploitation. India did not sign NPT because it was opposed to discrimination against non-nuclear powers. It was nevertheless firmly committed not to use nuclear energy for other than peaceful purposes. India did not have the economic capability to devote to military use. Singh concluded by stating his devout hope that this event will not interfere with improving U.S.-India relations.

Schneider

  1. Summary: Deputy Chief of Mission Schneider reported that Indian Foreign Secretary Singh had telephoned to inform him that India had carried out a peaceful nuclear explosion.

    Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740123–0916. Secret; Flash; Exdis. Sent Flash to London for Moynihan and Niact Immediate to Damascus for Kissinger, who was engaged in shuttle negotiations for a Israeli-Syrian disengagement agreement. Also published in Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, volume E–8, Documents on South Asia, 1973–1976, as Document 161.

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