Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–8, Documents on South Asia, 1973–1976

173. Memorandum of Conversation¹ ²

Washington, August 21, 1974, 12:20–1:05 p.m.

PARTICIPANTS:

• President Gerald R. Ford
• Ambassador Triloki Nath Kaul of India
• Dr. Henry A. Kissinger, Secretary of State and Assistant to the President
• Lt. General Brent Scowcroft, Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs

Kaul: I know your time is precious. I want to thank you for seeing me.

President: It was nice of you to come.

Kissinger: The Ambassador has been in every important post in India’s Foreign Service—Moscow, Peking, Washington.

President: How many years have you been in the Foreign Service?

Kaul: Since Independence.

President: Were you in the Independence Movement?

Kaul: We have a tradition that the Foreign Service doesn’t join a political party.

President: Please give Mrs. Gandhi my regards.

Kaul: I brought a letter. It came just last night. [Tab A]

Kissinger: The Ambassador was also helpful with the North Vietnamese.

President: We appreciate it.

Kaul: It was our duty to help. We recently received a delegation from the families of the missing in action.

I want to say we appreciate Dr. Kissinger. The situation previously didn’t permit much contact with your predecessor. Her letter about me is from the Prime Minister to President Nixon.

President: It was very nice about you. Secretary Kissinger has told me about the joint commission that we hope to set up.

Kaul: Our Parliament is very suspicious. They even complained that you didn’t receive me the first day. The Prime Minister renews the invitation to come to India.

President: I got an invitation when I was Vice President and I was thinking of going in November. The time now has to be indefinite, but I would like to come.

Kaul: Maybe Dr. Kissinger can discuss this further when he comes. Our democracies should have good relations. Some times our Congressmen on both sides are outspoken. The ID bill we feel was discriminatory against us.

President: Yes. I signed the bill but I expressed my reservations about it. I didn’t approve that, but the legislation was vital.

Kaul: I was assured it could be removed on another bill.

President: We will do what we can.

Kaul: Our new President was just elected. He received over 80% in the elections.

President: What is his term?

Kaul: Five years.

Kissinger: It is a ceremonial job.

Kaul: The Prime Minister hopes for good relations with the United States. She knows that in the past there were personal and other problems, and hopes that won’t interfere with our relations now.

President: We start with a fresh slate.

Kaul: Weill hope for passage of the Trade Bill. We would like to double our trade with the United States.

President: One of the first meetings I held was on this. I think we have a chance for good progress.

[The meeting then ended]

Tab A

Letter From Indian Prime Minister Gandhi to President Nixon

August 20, 1974

Dear Mr. President,

I am desired by my Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, to convey the following message from her to you:

New Delhi

19th August 1974

“Dear Mr. President,

Thank you for your letter of 10th August 1974 which must have crossed my own message to you. I appreciate you courtesy and sharing your thoughts about the future policies of the U.S.A. and your commitment to building a strong relationship between our two countries. Indeed it has been my sincere effort ever since I became Prime Minister to improve relations with your great country. But unfortunately our policy and even our motives have so often been misunderstood in the past.

2. We admire the American heritage. The U.S. and India are functioning democracies which have a common interest in promoting world peace in which democratic institutions and values can flourish and men and women will have full opportunity to work for the fulfilment of their aspirations. We look forward to a continuing dialogue between our two Governments on matters of bilateral and international interests. Our two countries can and should work together to promote understanding cooperation and peace, especially in this part of the world.

3. As you say, there has indeed been considerable progress in our relations in recent months. We share the wishes of the United States Government under your leadership to continue this process. May I assure you, Mr. President, of our earnestness in desiring a more positive and constructive relationship between our two countries.

With warm regards,

Yours Sincerely,

Indira Gandhi

Please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my highest [illegible]

1. Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, Box 5, Ford Administration. Secret; Nodis. The meeting took place in the Oval Office of the White House. According to the President’s Daily Diary, the meeting lasted approximately 45 minutes. (Ibid., Staff Secretary’s Office)
2. Ambassador Kaul of India met with President Ford and Secretary of State Kissinger and conveyed a letter of greetings from Prime Minister Gandhi.