a No Objection To Declassi cation 20081906106 NLC-131-6-5-9-5 E305 REVIEWED 1H prv2007 DECLAESIFIED IN Original letter hand delivered to Prime Minister Gandhi by Ambassador Dean on March 25 1987 Cc Dear Mr Prime Minister Your letter of January 7 was very helpful for our continuing dialogue on matters of mutual interest I am taking advantage of Ambassador Dean's presence in Washington to share with you the progress we have recently made in developing new areas of cooperation between our two countries First in our past conversations you expressed a strong desire for the purchase of a su ercom uter We informed you that we would agree to the sale contingent on an appropriate safeguards agreement which was negotiated last December-in New Delhi by our officials I am pleased to tell you that we have carefully reviewed the agreements package initialed in New Delhi and have determined that they provide a satisfactory base for the export of a supercomputer to India I believe that the sale will lay a strong foundation for a new era of collaboration utilizing some of the more modern technology available for advancing India's development Second despite the problems which we have confronted in the space launch program after the Challenger disaster we have given high priority to your request for an early launch for the INEAI 1-D sgtellit It is indeed gratifying that a 0 5 company has offered to launch the satellite well in advance of the earliest possible shuttle date with of course the continuing cooperation of NASA Third there is the question of participation by American companies in elements of the Light Combat Aircraft which you are developing The Department of Defense has completed an exhaustive review of technologies which we will be able to release for that project Ambassador Dean will be prepared to discuss a detailed list with your officials Mr Prime Minister we strongly support all efforts which help ensure peace and security in South Asia I want to take this occasion to welcome the disengagement agreements reached between India and Pakistan which have helped lower tensions from the high level of late January I hope that it will be possible to complete the de-escalation following conclusion of the military exercises now underway To help prevent similar unfortunate misunderstandings in the future we have provided No Objection To Declassi cation 2008 06 06 No Objection To Declassi cation 2008 06 06 NLC-131-6-5-9-5 some background on procedures in effect between Eastern and Western Europe We are offering both your government and that of Pakistan additional information that may help alleviate future tensions Our purpose is not to be intrusive but to stress ways to improve relations and increase regional stability In this regard I was pleased to hear that India and Pakistan have agreed to consider-means to deal with important border problems such as smuggling drug trafficking and terrorism which often go together As you recall this was discussed in a letter from Vice President Bush to Indian and Pakistani leaders I was particularly interested in the proposal in your letter of January 7 that American drug liaison agents be associated with your bilateral narcotics consultations I know combatting the evil of narcotics is as high a priority with you as with me and I assure you we will be happy to assist in whatever ways you and the Government of Pakistan find helpful With regard to Afghanistan I appreciated learning of your discu551ons with eneral Secretary Gorbachev The 8011 Union has indeed stated its desire for a political settle- ment and withdrawal of their troops we welcome the state- ments and are closely following the ongoing Geneva negotiations where seviet intentions W111 become manifest What is needed withdrawal timeframe which would permit the themselves to reselve the question of a new government Alternatively a transitional government acceptable to all cencerned could be established to oversee Soviet withdrawal and a tree act of Afghan self-determination Peace will come only when there is a government in Kabul that enjoys the authentic support and confidence of the Afghan peeple Our ske tic' about Soviet intentions is based on the disparity between their actions and_their words The current Soviet scheme io have as its chief purpose the preservation of the Naiibullah regime Moreover coincident with the resumption of the UN- sponsored talks between Pakistani and Afghan officials in Geneva Soviet and DRA military actions violating the Pakistan border have reached unprecedented levels this year This is most disturbing not only because of the human cost to Pakistan and the Afghan refugees but equally because of the dangers of an expanding war with very threatening consequences for all in the region No Objection To Declassi cation 2008 06 06 No Objection To Deolassi cation 2008 06l06 NLC-131-6-5-9-5 We hope you will intensify your dialogue with the Soviet Union as soon as possible Using your considerable influence at this important moment to urge the Soviet leadership to address urgently and realistically the difficult but essential issues it faces in Afghanistan It is time for all concerned governments to join together in working toward an early and just peaceful settlement in Afghanistan An acceptable political settlement in Af hanistan woul We the U S -Soviet dialogue The United States has often empna51zed to the Soviets that we seek no strategic advantagei in Afghanistan and we recognize_thoir interest in a secure southern border We have made clear our willingness to lend our political support to an agreement which is consistent withl United Nations resolutions and which brings about the Speedy and complete withdrawal of Soviet troops We have also discussed the nuclear issue and as you can imagine the dangers of nuclear proliferation are very much on my mind these days I do not want you to misunderstand the meaning of Ambassador Hinton's recent speech in Islamabad on nuclear issues It was not made because of any new devel- opments in Pakistan's program but was an expression of my belief that potential problems in this sensitive area should be addressed and dealt with Ambassador Hinton's speech is fully consistent with the long-standing strenuous U S effort to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons in South Asia I have kept my word to you that the 0 5 will continue to do every- thing to press Pakistan on the nuclear program At the same time I would urge that you give careful consideration to the proposals for mutual action which President Zia has put forward or make suggestions of your own Once again 1 ask your help in furthering the regional dialogue which provides a vital context for success in dealing with the Pakistan program and South Asia With warmest regards Sincerely Ronald Reagan No Objection To Declassi cation 2008 06 06 NLC-131-6-5-9-5 This document is from the holdings of The National Security Archive Suite 701 Gelman Library The George Washington University 2130 H Street NW Washington D C 20037 Phone 202 994-7000 Fax 202 994-7005 nsarchiv@gwu edu