Secret telegram

November 15, 1971

From: Secretary State Washington DC

To: American Embassy Moscow

 

Subject: South Asian Crisis

 

We are increasingly concerned at deteriorating military situation in South Asia and at prospect of full-scale hostilities between India and Pakistan in near future. You should seek earliest possible opportunity to present following letter from President to Chairman Kosygin.

 

Dear Mr. Chairman:

 

I have been following extremely closely development on the South Asian sub-continent. The recent border incidents which have involved engagements between Indian and Pakistani air­craft, tanks, and artillery in the Jessore section of East Pakistan have been of particular concern to me, as I am sure they have been to you. The situation has reached a point at which there appears to be an imminent danger of full-scale hostilities be­tween India and Pakistan.

 

As Ambassador Beam has made clear to Foreign Minister Gromyko and Mr. Kuznetsov, the US Government is doing all in its power to assist in deescalating the crisis and to search for a viable political solution to the problem. It is neither in the interests of the US nor the Soviet Union that there be war in South Asia. I welcome the assurances that your government is using its influence to promote a peaceful resolution of this cri­sis.

 

In order to deescalate the crisis, we have proposed to the gov­ernments of India and Pakistan that they withdraw their forces a limited distance from the frontiers. President Yahya has indi­cated his willingness to take the first step of withdrawal if he could be assured that the Indian would reciprocate. I believe that a limited pull-back would directly contribute to a lowering of tension and would make possible the pursuit of the political settlement which we recognize is essential. I hope that your government would give support to this idea with a view to having India and Pakistan designate promptly high level repre­sentatives who could work out the details.

 

Finally, I agree fully that our governments should continue to consult closely on this matter.

 

Sincerely yours,

Richard Nixon

 

 

 

Source: Bangladesh Liberation War and the Nixon House 1971, Enayetur Rahim and Joyce L. Rahim, Pustaka Dhaka, p – 361 - 362