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

154. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in India¹

Washington, November 10, 1979, 2320Z

294036. Subject: Talk With Indian Charge.

1. Secret–Entire text.

2. On November 6, Thomas Pickering had lunch with Indian Charge Gokhale. Focus was on bilateral nuclear questions.

3. Gokhale primary interest was on progress or lack thereof in issuance of Tarapur license. Pickering explained the matter was still under active consideration in U.S. and that next step was still response to NRC questions.² Since questions focused on attitudes of Indian Government now and in future on nuclear questions, there was a problem in formulating persuasive answer before Indian elections early in 1980. Gokhale indicated that early issuance of Tarapur license would improve climate in India on US-Indian bilateral nuclear relations and implied this would be useful step to take during election campaigning.

4. Conversation then turned to earlier discussions which U.S. and India had held over possibility of arriving at amicable settlement of bilateral nuclear problem. Gokhale did not wish to commit himself on whether discussion with current caretaker government would be productive or could lead to conclusion. He pressed on timing of current consideration this problem in USG and was told that such remained uncertain. He also sought out information on kinds of options that might be under consideration. Aside from pointing out that such options stretched from issuance of present license on one hand through continuing provision of fuel on the other, no specifics were discussed. Pickering indicated in response to question that Congress in general seemed to be negative on any Presidential waiver of full scope safeguards requirements. They appeared to be somewhat more favorable to issuance of pending two licenses.

5. Pickering asked Gokhale if a response to NRC questions as positive as possible were sent by the State Department this would help Indian attitudes toward any discussion of a general settlement in our nuclear relations. Gokhale said issuance of pending Tarapur license would be most important in this regard, but positive reply to NRC would have some slight helpful effect.

6. Gokhale inquired about Pakistan program and was briefed in very general terms about results of Agha Shahi visit.³ He confirmed that Indian information on possibility of Pakistan test through use of their own material was roughly same as ours.

7. Pickering discussed South Atlantic event⁴ and possibility of action in New York on sanctions on South Africa. Gokhale said he did not believe India would oppose a resolution in New York cutting nuclear trade with South Africa in the absence of safeguards on South African nuclear facilities. He insisted there was no present Indian trade with South Africa and precedent on safeguards did not seem to disturb him.

Vance

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790519–0930. Secret; Exdis. Sent for information to Bombay and Islamabad. Drafted by Pickering; cleared in S/S–O and by Schaffer; approved by Pickering.
2. See footnote 3, Document 144.
3. See Documents 364 and 366.
4. The South Atlantic Event, or Vela Incident, was a suspected South African nuclear test on September 22 near the Prince Edward Islands, off the coast of Antarctica. See Foreign Relations, 1977–1980, vol. XVI, Southern Africa, Documents 361–368.