71. Memorandum From Acting Secretary of State Christopher to President Carter1
[Omitted here is material unrelated to India.]
Nuclear Supply to India. We will inform the Indian Ambassador tomorrow that we have decided to recommend an interim supply of low-enriched uranium for India on condition that they agree to early negotiations with us on outstanding nuclear issues. Our Charge in New Delhi will make a parallel approach there and we will be advising concerned members of Congress of the decision. When we receive official confirmation of India’s willingness to negotiate, we will advise the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of Executive Branch support for the shipment. Making an interim shipment such as we envisage will provide time to see whether a satisfactory understanding on nuclear matters can be worked out with Desai and his new government.2
[Omitted here is material unrelated to India.]
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 18, Evening Reports (State): 5/77. Secret. In the upper right-hand corner of the memorandum, Carter wrote: “To Warren, J.”↩
- In the left-hand margin next to this paragraph, Carter wrote: “Do not ship India any fuel unless they agree to the strictest international safeguards—Similar to what Canada demands.”↩