U.S. National Archives

July 29, 1970, 2210Z

Subj:
SWARAN SINGH Letter to the Secretary

Department of State

TELEGRAM

29 Jul 70 22

ACTION: Amembassy NEW DELHI

INFO: Amembassy RAWALPINDI

STATE

LIMDIS

Indian Embassy July 28 delivered following letter to Secretary from Foreign Minister, acknowledgment of which is being prepared.

QTE My dear Secretary of State,

Thank you very much for your kind message sent through your Embassy in Delhi congratulating me on my appointment as Minister for External Affairs. May I reciprocate your sentiments and express the hope that we shall work together in developing further the friendly relations which so happily exist between our two countries in a spirit of mutual understanding and frankness.

Your Ambassador, Mr. Kenneth B. Keating, saw me recently and I was glad to discuss briefly with him ways and means of further improvement of our relations. Although this is my very first letter to you, I should like to take this opportunity to share with you some of my thoughts in this regard.

It seems to me that there is no conflict in our aims and objectives of mainaining peace and progress in the world and particularly in our region. Our methods may be different; there may also be some difference in emphasis on certain issues but I am convinced that with more frequent contacts at various levels, we can remove some of the irritants that seem to spoil our relations at times and further strengthen the more permanent bonds that unite our two countries and peoples. I can assure you that we shall always give the highest consideration to your feelings and sentiments and take you into confidence in matters that are of mutual concern. I am confident that you on your part would do the same.

It is in this spirit of mutual understanding and frankness that I wish to mention some disturbing reports that we have recently heard about the proposed resumption of sale of arms by your country to Pakistan. I need not mention the various reasons why we have opposed such a move. But, I would be less than frank if I did not emphasise the fact that such a move will have very grave and serious repercussions in our country and on the peace and stability of this sub-continent. I hope that you will give full consideration to our views which we have conveyed to your Ambassador and through our Ambassador to you before you take any final decision in the matter.

I wish you every success in your efforts to promote peace in the world and strengthen friendship with all countries including our own. The world is passing through difficult times and your country has a special responsibility in preserving peace and stability. We on our part are fully conscious of our own responsibilities and we hope that through mutual cooperation and understanding, we shall be able to work together to achieve our common goals and objectives.

I look forward to the pleasure of meeting you when I attend the UN General Assembly Session and having frank and friendly talks with you on various matters which are of concern to both our countries.

With all good wishes, Yours sincerely, SWARAN SINGH. UNQTE

END

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