237. Telegram From the Embassy in Pakistan to the Department of State0
1258. Verbatim Text.
Acting Foreign Secretary Kharas gave DCM today copy of letter from President Ayub to President Kennedy dated January 2. Kharas said letter had been forwarded to Ambassador Aziz for transmittal to the President. Following is text of letter:
“I thank you for your message of December 22,1 transmitted to me by Ambassador McConaughy, who also gave me particulars of the present United States-United Kingdom programme of military assistance to India.
“Our assessment of the situation in the context of the Sino-Indian conflict has already been conveyed to you. The trend of the exchanges between Peking and New Delhi as well as the recent statements of Prime Minister Nehru clearly indicating his intention of reaching a negotiated border settlement with Communist China, would seem to confirm our own conclusions as to the deeper reasons behind India’s request for massive military assistance from the West.
[Page 467]“Ambassador McConaughy has informed me of the extent of your immediate programme of supply of arms to India which you and Prime Minister Macmillan consider necessary to meet India’s minimum requirements of defence. You have made it clear that this programme is not contingent on a Kashmir settlement. While the quantum of military support to India which you have decided to extend in the Nassau meeting may appear to be frugal in the context of your global strategy, we fear that it is sufficiently massive to alter the present ratio of military strength as between Pakistan and India and aggravate the danger to our security.
“Only a speedy and just Kashmir settlement can give us any assurance that the contemplated increase of India’s military power is not likely to be deployed against Pakistan in the future.
“I agree completely with your judgment that no single step could contribute as much to the security of the sub-continent as the resolution of the Kashmir problem. Despite the discouraging and provocative utterances of Mr. Nehru on the subject, we are pursuing our sincere efforts to negotiate with India a solution which would meet three requirements: Respect for the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir; protection of the vital interests of Pakistan; and due regard for such claims of India as could be considered legitimate.
“It is only with reference to these three basic criteria that a correct judgment can be made as to the one-sidedness or otherwise of the intransigence which India is very likely to show in the negotiations.
“I am confident that you will view with understanding and sympathy our efforts to reach an equitable and honorable settlement with India on the basis of the three essential principles that I have mentioned.
“No country in the world has so much in its power to promote a just and peaceful solution of the Kashmir dispute as the United States. If the flow of your arms supplies is so regulated as to influence India to negotiate in a more amenable frame of mind, positive results are bound to follow.
“With best wishes for your health, happiness and prosperity in the new year, Yours sincerely, (Signed) M. Ayub.”
- Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, India, General, 1/11/63-1/15/63. Confidential; Limit Distribution. Received in the Department of State at 12:54 p.m. Repeated to New Delhi and London.↩
- See Document 232.↩