Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XIX, South Asia

134. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to President Carter¹

Washington, April 12, 1979

SUBJECT

• Daily Report

[Omitted here is material unrelated to India.]

Indian Reaction to U.S. Aid Cutoff to Pakistan: The decision to cut off aid to Pakistan² is interpreted in New Delhi as confirmation that Islamabad is developing nuclear weapons. As a result, CIA believes the Desai government’s stated policy not to develop a nuclear arsenal will probably be subjected to heavy pressure. Although New Delhi has not yet made an official statement, the government is likely to be pressed in Parliament for an official assessment of the implications for its own nuclear program.³ (C)

[Omitted here is material unrelated to India.]

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Daily CIA Brief File, Box 18, 4/1/79–4/6/79. Secret; Sensitive. Carter wrote: “Zbig” and initialed at the top of the memorandum.
2. See Document 335.
3. In the left-hand margin next to this paragraph, Carter wrote: “Tell Cy to try to head this off—We’re losing both ways.”