Foreign Relations, Foreign Relations, 1969-1976, Documents on
South Asia, 1969-1972
Released by the Office of the
Historian
Amembassy NEW DELHI WHITE HOUSE
WHITE HOUSE PASS TO SECRETARY ROGERS ON AIR FORCE ONE SUBJ: Indian Policy
in South Asia Crisis
REF: State
1. Indian Ambassador Jha called at his request to
respond to the Under Secretary's demarche on Indian war aims (reftel). Jha accompanied by Rasgotra and Verma, Quainton and Schneider
present from NEA.
2. Jha began by saying he had discussed this subject - in New
York with Fon Min Swaran
Singh, India, he said, had no war aims; it did not want war and did not start
it. India clearly did not and does not covet any part of Pakistan's territory,
In Bangla Desh, GOIs first
first action had been to hand over civil administration to BD officials in
order to avoid having to take law into own hands. Jha
said he could say categorically that GOI was anxious to see BD remain
completely independent of India,
3. In
West, India's position was the same, i.e., it does not covet any Pakistan territory. GOI, however, felt concern about giving USG
assurances on this kind of issue without knowing whether USG had received
comparable assurances from Pakistan. India did not wish to create situation in which Pakistan could wage war with nothing to lose. GOI
anxious not to make bilateral commitment to US if it might have adverse impact
on Pak policy. What he had said was not for conveying as an assurance to
Paks. Jha said he could not
predict what would be GOI policy if there were prolonged war. From beginning
and as of now GOI did not want to take any part of Pakistan,
4. Jha noted that Under Secretary had earlier raised question
about Azad Kashmir. He noted Kashmir had
been subject of discussion on more than one occasion. Kashmir
belongs to India and any part which Pakistan holds is illegally held. GOI position has been not to seek
change of situation/ through force. All evidence we have of Pakistan strategy
is that GOP wishes to grab more territory, Therefore GOl
would like to know whether USG has assurance from Pakistan that it will not try
to get further territory in Kashmir. He said it would be unfair if the GOP
keeps its options open and GOI does not,
5. Under
Secretary replied that Pakistan on various occasions has accepted a cease-fire and
withdrawal to status quo ante. He said he wished to make clear USG would find
unacceptable any attempt by GOI to alter or rectify its borders between India and Pakistan in Azad Kashmir.
6. Jha asked whether USG would take same view if Pakistan sought to alter borders? Under
Secretary said he had been speaking to existing situation and did not wish to
speak on basis of hypothetical proposition. Generally speaking, we have urged a
return to status quo ante and would like to see both sides withdraw. Jha asked whether we would regard it as more legitimate and
defensible for Pakistan to hold on to a portion of Kashmir than India. Under Secretary reiterated we 'wanted both countries to
return to their own borders. We do not want either country to hold any portion
of other. Jha said he hoped Under Secretary
understood that his question was no more hypothetical than one which had been
put to India. He hoped USG did not have categoric
view on how it would react if India held portion of Pak territory but not if Pakistan held portion of Indian
territory.
Under those circumstances it would be difficult for India to be categoric in its
assurances, Under Secretary asked about question of India's future control over East Pakistan.
Jha said this was a new question to which he could
not give a firm answer. Later in the conversation, however, Jha
said that one way of insuring that BD not be controlled by India was for it to come into the United Nations as a member in
its own right. India does not want BD to become an Indian protectorate and is
anxious not to have control over it.
7. Under
Secretary noted that evacuation of Dacca had been completed successfully. Approximately 20
Americans remain and presumably will stay right through. USG will provide names
of those remaining to UN, GOI and GOP. We look to GOI and BD authorities to do
all in their power to protect safety of those Americans as well as other third
country nationals.
8. Under
Secretary also noted that ICRC has written agreement with the GOP for
protection of foreigners in Dacca in
neutral zones. There is no similar agreement with GOI, and he urged GOI to
consider signing an agreement for protection of foreigners. Jha
said he would forward suggestion but commented
that it would be preferable to take this matter up in New Delhi as they more familiar with matter. GOI was anxious to
insure complete safety of lives of foreign nationals, and it would be very
cooperative and responsible in thrashing out any problems there might be.
9.
Finally, Under Secretary said he wished to raise a matter about which we had no
independent verification. Pakistan Embassy had telephoned us with message from
Islamabad indicating that one Pakistani officer who had been taken
prisoner by Indians had been sent back to Comilla
fortress by besieging Indian forces. He took back message to effect that if all
did not surrender they would be handed over for butchery by Mukti
Bahini,
Pak Embassy brought this to our attention as violation of Geneva Convention. Jha said he could assure us report was "complete and
total fabrication." Chief of Indian Army Staff had made public appeal
assuring Pak Army of humane treatment under Geneva Convention. Yesterday in
New York, Foreign Minister had spoken with leader of BD delegation
suggesting that BDG should announce its adherence to principles of Geneva
Convention. Under Secretary said he recognized and accepted India's declared position but urged that all possible efforts be
made to insure that there were no exceptions even in heat of battle.
End
IRWIN
Source:
Doc 181, vol E7, South Asia Crisis, Department of State.