UN Secretariat Item Scan - Barcode - Record Title Page 55 Date 27/06/2006 Time 2:27:46 PM

S-0900-0006-09-00001

Expanded Number S-0900-0006-09-00001

Title items-in-lndia//Bangladesh - chronological files - Pakistan

Date Created 07/07/1975

Record Type Archival Item

Container s-0900-0006: /Pakistan/Bangladesh 1971-1977

Print Name of Person Submit Image Signature of Person Submit IL/sg bf. RA/GS^FMG/MP/TR CC. SG

17 July 1975

Sir, I wish to thank you for your letter of 7 July 1975 and for sending ma the summary of the meeting laetween the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan which took place last May. I appreciate your thcughtfulness in providing me with this information whicSte gave me a better understanding of the issues discussed by the two Foreign Secretaries* Please accept, Sir, the assurances of my high consideration*

Kurt Waldheiza

Mr. Abdul Matin Acting Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations New York 9 July 1975

Mote for the Secretary-General

This is a summary of the enclosed letter, dated 7 July 1975 from Mr. Matin, acting Permanent Represen- tative of Pakistan to the UH, summarizing the state of relations between India and Pakistan after a meeting of the foreign Secretaries last May, which was envisaged in the Simla agreement.

Ingrid Lehmann

.'• / Concerning the establishment of a /nuclear weapon free zone \y I in South Asia, the Pakistan Foreign Secretary, Mr. Shahi, noted that, in the absence of an international agreement, Pakistan was now prepared to accept "a multilateral declaration whereby the participating states would foreswear the manufacture and acqui- sition of nuclear weapons". Mr. Singh, the Indian Foreign Secretary, did not rule out the possibility of a Joint Declaration by the states of the region pledging not to acquire or manufacture nuclear weapons. Mr. Singh stated India's readiness to conclude a bilateral treaty with Pakistan on the non-use of nuclear energy for weapon manufacture, and invited Pakistan to suggest an agree- ment that would satisfy her security needs. The two Secretaries basically agreed on the need to strengthen security assurances to non-nuclear weapon states. In order to meet the objections of "the two Super Powers" against giving such guarantees, Pakistan suggested to specifically exclude from the purview of the guarantee those countries which have nuclear pro- tection. India agreed to cooperate with Pakistan on this issue. Concerning plans for making the Indian Ocean a Zone of Peace it was noted that an agreement on a comprehensive code of conduct to guide the relationship of the states in the region would pro- vide increased security for the countries concerned. Discussing the Indian government's reaction to the lifting of the U.S. arms embargo to Pakistan, the Pakistan foreign Secre- tary affirmed that although his country does not seek military parity with India, it would not accept a ratio in military strength that would render it helpless. Commenting on the Indian-Afghanistan relations vis-a-vis Pakistan, Mr. Singh "categorically discounted that India was interested in furthering Afghan-Pakistan hostility". Mr. Singh affirmed that the question of Baluchistan and "Pakhtoonistan" were internal affairs of Pakistan. The two Secretaries agreed to cease hostile propaganda and ad- verse publicity against each other. PAKISTAN MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS

PAKISTAN HOUSE

8 EAST S5TH STREET

NEW YORK, N. Y. 1OO21

July 7, ((1975.

Excellency, • At the invitation of Mr, Kewal Singh, Foreign Secretary, Government of India, Mr, , Foreign Secretary, Government of Pakistan, paid a visit to India from May 15th to May 20th 1975, to discuss the normalisation of relations between the two countries envisaged in the Simla Agreement, I have the honour to submit herewith for your Excellency's information a self-contained summary of the dialogue between the two Foreign Secretaries.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Acting Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations His Excellency Mr. Kurt Waldheim, Secretary-General of the United Nations, NEW YORK. PAKISTAN MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS PAKISTAN HOUSE 8 EAST SSTH STREET NEW YORK, N. Y. 1OO21

Summary of Indo-Pakistan talks at Foreign Secretaries* level held during 15th to 20th May 1975, at

The Foreign Secretary of Pakistan paid an official visit to New Delhi from 15th to 20th May 1975. During the course of his visit he discussed with his Indian counterpart the proposal for the establishment of a nuclear free zone in South Asia and other matters of bilateral interest.

Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Mr. Agha Shahi observed that apart from last year's two United Nations resolutions on the concept of nuclear free zone in South Asia, there is India1s unilateral declaration not to divert its nuclear energy for weapon purposes. This declaration should be converted into a multilateral engagement. The move would be contractual in nature and would bind the States rather than Administrations as such. The Pakistan Foreign Secretary was mindful of the fact that although a meaningful concept of a nuclear weapon free zone would have to provide for the inspection of nuclear facilities and would be the subject of an international treaty, Pakistan was prepared to 'lower the sights" and to seek for the moment only a multilateral declaration whereby the participating States would foreswear the manufacture and acquisition of nuclear weapons. - 2 -

While maintaining the known stand on the subject, Mr. Kewal Singh did not rule out the possibility of considering the signing of a Joint Declaration with the regional States undertaking not to acquire or manufacture nuclear weapons. This was made contingent on the initiative forthcoming from countries other than India. In the meanwhile, India was ready to conclude a bilateral treaty with Pakistan on the non-use of nuclear energy for weapon purposes. Pakistan was invited to suggest the kind of agreement that would satisfy her security preoccupations. Mr. Agha Shahi promised to consider the matter and to take it up at an appropriate time.

Security Assurances to Non-Nuclear Weapon States The two Secretaries exhibited a large measure of agreement on strengthening the security assurances to non-nuclear weapon States against the threat or use of nuclear weapons. The Pakistan Foreign Secretary emphasized that a concrete formulation as opposed to empty r^hetoric was needed on the theme. Such assurances would be a great gain particularly for the Arab States who were not effectively safeguarded against Israel. The assurances would further fortify the inhibitions of trigger happy States. Pakistan was, of course, conscious of the objections of the two Super Powers against giving such guarantees but these objections could be met by specifically excluding from the purview of the guarantee those countries which already enjoy the protection of a nuclear umbrella. India felt that it should be possible for her to collaborate with Pakistan on this issue in the international forum. - 3 -

Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace

Expressing Pakistan's interest in the concept of Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace, the Foreign Secretary the informed his counterpart about the contents of/aide memoire submitted by Pakistan to the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean. The five elements of an effective system of regional security as spelled out in that document were brought forth. It was observed that an agreement on a comprehensive code of conduct to guide inter-relationships among the regional States would afford the necessary security to enable them to act in concert, free of fear from each other and to meet the challenge posed by the presence of Super Powers. Mr. Kewal Singh promised to study the aide memoire "with care and attention",

Lifting of U.S. arms embargo

Mr. Agha Shahi touched upon the unwarranted reaction of the Indian Government to the lifting of the U.S. arms embargo. He observed that the Indian concern was puzzling. It was pointed out that taking into account the respective military strength of the two countries and the indigenous arms production capacity of India, one fails to understand as to why she should fear a threat from Pakistan. Although Pakistan does not seek military parity with India it cannot accept a ratio in military strength vis-a-vis India that would render Pakistan helpless. Responding to Mr. Agha Shahi*s observations, Mr.Kewal Singh - 4 - referred to "historical" memories about the use of American arms against India. The Pakistan Foreign Secretary reminded him about the use of whole mountain divisions of Indian Army equipped with American weapons in East Pakistan during 1971. As a result of the discussion the Indian Government hopefully formed a better perception of Pakistan's defence and security preoccupations.

Indian-Afghanistan Collusion

Commenting on Indian-Afghanistan collusion, Mr. Kewal Singh strongly denied that India was encouraging Afghanistan to adopt an un-compromising posture towards Pakistan. While admitting the presence of Indian military advisers in Afghanistan, he categorically discounted that India was interested in furthering Afghan-Pakistan hostility. He observed that India had in fact always counselled moderation and advised Afghanistan to settle its differences with Pakistan peacefully and bilaterally. The Indian Foreign Secretary stated that the so-called issues of Baluchistan and 'Pakhtoonistan* were the direct internal affairs of Pakistan and he promised to see to it that these matters were aot agitated in the Indian newsmedia.

Diplomatic Relations

Although the question of the establishment of diplomatic relations was not directly raised, the Pakistan Foreign Secretary, however, mentioned it en passant. There was no response from the Indian side. - 5 -

Resumption of Overflights

In view of the intractable character of the problem of the resumption of overflights and establishment of air links, a civil aviation agreement could not be signed during the meeting. There was, however, genuine appreciation of each other's difficulties on the subject. It was recognized that continuing differences on the issue might unnecessarily hold up normalisation of relations and both sides should endeavour to prepare their respective public opinion for progress on the matter.

Cessation of Propaganda

The two Secretaries were able to agree to a more effective implementation of the understanding on the cessation of hostile propaganda and to enlarge its scope to curb all forms of adverse publicity against each other.

Pakistan feels that the frank exchange of ideas on the extremely sensitive issues was a step forward in the relationship between the two countries. The dialogue will hopefully serve as trend setter for future negotiations.