141. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter1
[Omitted here is material unrelated to India.]
7. Indian Jaguar Purchase: The Indians have expressed interest in purchasing an American made inertial navigation system for the Jaguars they are buying from the UK. You will recall that we encouraged the British not to make the sale—and would not give permission for Sweden to sell the Viggen since it contained American components2—because it would introduce a new sophisticated weapons system to the subcontinent.3 Since we have been opposed to Indian acquisition of this weapons system, we could not justify the sale of American components to support the aircraft. I have consequently disapproved the inertial navigation sale.
[Omitted here is material unrelated to India.]
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 21, Evening Reports (State): 4/79. Secret. Carter wrote “Cy” and initialed at the top of the memorandum.↩
- See footnote 9, Document 96.↩
- Telegram 92067 to Stockholm, Paris, New Delhi, and Islamabad, April 11, 1978, reported on a March 31, 1978, discussion between U.S. and U.K. officials at the British Embassy in Washington regarding the sale of Jaguar DPSA to India. After the U.S. officials presented their argument that the British should not sell Jaguars to India because it might start an arms race in South Asia, the British officials pointed out that “Britain had a political commitment to India for this sale dating from August 1975 and a refusal to sell at this time would cause serious bilateral problems.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780155–0636) Vance also met with Vajpayee on October 2, 1978, in New York. According to telegram Secto 11020 from USUN, October 3, “the only bilateral issue discussed was the Indian intention to purchase deep penetration strike aircraft (DPSA). The Secretary reaffirmed the US concern that this would set off a spiral of arms purchases and the Indians defended their need for DPSA.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D780402–1252) The Washington Post reported on October 8, 1978, that India had decided to purchase 40 Jaguar deep penetration strike aircraft on credits extended by the U.K. Government. (“India to Buy Jaguar Jets,” Washington Post, October 8, 1978, p. A32)↩