SECTION -2

INDO-PAKISTAN AFFAIRS

EDITORIAL NOTE

This Section deals with discussions in the Parliament connected with Indo-Pakistan relations.

Chavan’s Statement on the US decision to resume supply of arms to Pakistan is reproduced in Chapter 5. His reply to the discussion giving an expression to the Government’s sense of disappointment and frustration at the US decision is in Chapter 6. In his reply, Chavan warned that the US action would further deteriorate the situation on the Indian sub-continent. Dismissing the justification offered by the US Administration, Chavan stated “Either you are deceiving yourself or you are trying to deceive us. It is either of the two.” He warned that by lifting this embargo, the US may weaken the psychology of normalixation of relations and they will not help in the development of good relations between the two countries.

Chapter 7 contains text of Chavan’s Statement regarding Indo-Pakistan talks and the Joint Statement issued in May 1976.

CHAPTER – 5

U.S DECISION TO RESUME ARMS SUPPLY TO PAKISTAN

Reply to calling attention Notice, Rajya Sabha, 18 February 1975

The Minister of External Affairs (Shri Y. B. Chavan) : Mr. Deputy Chairman, Sir, Government of India has received reports that the United States is considering the possibility of resuming arms supplies to Pakistan. Press despatches from Washington and Islamabad have also hinted that the 10 year old American arms embargo may be lifted and that the United States may supply sophisticated weapons to Pakistan. According to our information, this question was also discussed during Prime Minister Bhutto’s official visit to Washington on 5th and 6th February although no decision has been announced.

The Government of India views the supply of American weapons to Pakistan with grave concern as it will have serious repercussion on the peace and stability of sub-continent. We have taken up this matter with the US. Government at the highest level and have brought to its attention the consequences of the reversal of their present policy on the process of normalisation on the sub-continent. On 28th January, I addressed a letter to the Secretary of State on this subject and conveyed to him our deep concern about the harmful effects of arms supplies to Pakistan on the peace of this region as well as on Indo-American relations. I particularly emphasised that Pakistan’s fears about a military threat from India are wholly fanciful and unwarranted as both India and Pakistan are committed in the Simla Agreement to work for friendly and harmonious relationship and the establishment of durable peace in the sub-continent and to settle all their differences through peaceful means.