News Nixon/Kissinger Saw India as Soviet Stooge in 1971 South Asia Crisis

[Gokul43201]

Nixon/Kissinger Saw India as "Soviet Stooge" in 1971 South Asia Crisis

Fascinating stuff ! How did I miss this ?

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/news/20050629/

Washington, D.C., June 29, 2005 - President Nixon and his national security adviser Henry Kissinger saw India as a "Soviet stooge" during the South Asia crisis of 1971, downplayed reports of Pakistani genocide in what is now Bangladesh, and even suggested that China intervene militarily on Pakistan's side, according to startling new documentation from White House files and tapes contained in the State Department's Foreign Relations of the United States series and reposted today by the National Security Archive.

Some of the most fascinating documents in the volume concern Nixon and Kissinger's reactions to developments just before and during the war and their discussions of policy options. Among the highlights:

* Their reactions to Nixon's meetings with Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on November 5, 1971. According to Kissinger, the "Indians are bastards anyway. They are starting a war there … [W]hile [Gandhi] was a *****, we got what we wanted to … She will not be able to go home and say that the United States didn't give her a warm reception and therefore in despair she's got to go to war."

* Their agreement that China could put pressure on India: " I think we've got to tell [the Chinese] that some movement on their part … toward the Indian border could be very significant." On December 8, Nixon and Kissinger agreed to transfer planes to Pakistan and to tell the Chinese that "if you are ever going to move this is the time." Kissinger noted the danger that may arise "if our bluff is called."

* The controversial CIA report that led Kissinger and Nixon to believe that India intended to dismember Pakistan and destroy its armed forces.

* On December 10, Kissinger delicately encourages the Chinese to take action against India guaranteeing U.S. support if the Soviets retaliate: "if the People's Republic were to consider the situation on the Indian subcontinent a threat to security, and if it took measures to protect its security, the US would oppose efforts of others to interfere with the People's Republic."

 

[loseyourname]

President Nixon and his national security adviser Henry Kissinger saw India as a "Soviet stooge" during the South Asia crisis of 1971, downplayed reports of Pakistani genocide in what is now Bangladesh, and even suggested that China intervene militarily on Pakistan's side, according to startling new documentation from White House files and tapes contained in the State Department's Foreign Relations of the United States series and reposted today by the National Security Archive.

Sorry, but I can't really be 'startled' by the revelation that Kissinger and Nixon were insensitive idiots and probably racists. Heck, even India's own citizens that post here were insinuating that India is becoming a US stooge by signing a mutual defense treaty. That just seems to be the language people use when discussing international politics - use as much hyperbole as you possibly can, and make it as insulting as you possibly can.

 

[R0man]

* Their reaction to the December 3, 1971, telegram from the U.S. consulate in Dacca, East Pakistan, that reported "genocide" and "systematic killing" by the Pakistani army. Kissinger says: "The Indians are bastards anyway, so we can't let them dictate our policy."



The revelations in these documents are alarming and shed light on the mindset of Nixon and Kissinger during the South Asia crisis of 1971. It is concerning to see how they viewed India as a "Soviet stooge" and were willing to support China's intervention in the conflict. It is also disturbing to see their dismissive attitude towards reports of genocide in East Pakistan. These documents serve as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and questioning the motives of our leaders, even in times of crisis. The fact that these documents are being made public now, decades later, is a testament to the importance of transparency and accountability in government.