Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 523 › Conversation 523-002
Nixon, Singh & Jha on India-Pakistan conflict and Refugee crisis
Wednesday, June 16, 1971 · 2:58 PM–3:41 PM ET · Oval Office · 42 min
AI Summary
President Nixon met with Indian Foreign Minister Swaran Singh, Ambassador Lakshmi Kant Jha, Ambassador Kenneth B. Keating, and Joseph J. Sisco to discuss the escalating refugee crisis in East Pakistan and the broader India-Pakistan conflict. While acknowledging the humanitarian urgency and pledging $70 million in U.S. financial aid, Nixon emphasized the necessity of "quiet diplomacy" over public pressure to influence Pakistani leadership toward a political solution. The discussion underscored Nixon's efforts to prevent an armed conflict and his frustration with other nations that offered rhetorical support without matching financial contributions.
- India-Pakistan conflict
- Refugee crisis
- Foreign aid
- Quiet diplomacy
- Bangladesh
- Indira Gandhi
Audio
Transcript (AI-generated)
This transcript is incomplete. The transcription skipped stretches of speech — roughly 14 minutes of this recording (about 34% of it) is represented by only a few words. Listen to the audio rather than relying on the text below; a corrected transcript is queued.
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NARA Description
On June 16, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Ronald L. Ziegler, Rose Mary Woods, Henry A. Kissinger, Stephen B. Bull, Swaran Singh, Lakshmi Kant Jha, Kenneth B. Keating, Joseph J. Sisco, White House photographer, and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House from 2:58 pm to 3:41 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 523-002 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 523-002
Date: June 16, 1971
Time: 2:58 pm - 3:41 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Ronald L. Ziegler.
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542
Oliver F. (“Ollie”) Atkins tribute
-Attendance
Ziegler left and Rose Mary Woods entered at 2:59 pm.
**********************************************************************
[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 06/24/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[523-002-w001]
[Duration: 31s]
Jack Drown and Helene (Colesie) Drown
-Conversation between Thelma C. (Ryan) (“Pat”) Nixon and Rose Mary Woods
-Ushers office
-June 17, 1971
-Helene (Colesie) Drown departure
-Rex W. Scouten
**********************************************************************
Stephen B. Bull entered at an unknown time after 2:59 pm.
Schedule
-Henry A. Kissinger
**********************************************************************
[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 06/24/2019.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[523-002-w002]
[Duration: 1m 27s]
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542
The President’s dinner
Henry A. Kissinger
-Meeting
-Cutoff time
The President’s dinner
-Location
-Porch
-Timing
**********************************************************************
Kissinger entered at 3:02 pm.
Bull and Woods left at 3:03 pm.
Pentagon Papers
-Kissinger call from Joseph A. Califano, Jr.
-Califano's support for President over Pentagon Papers
-Concern over precedent
-Focus on real issue
-Support for Lyndon B. Johnson's policies
-John K. Kennedy's policy on Vietnam
-Commitment of troops
-Number of troops
-Use in Rochester speech
Upcoming meeting with Swaran Singh
-Sympathy
-Firmness
-Report to Indira Gandhi
******************************************************************************
[Previous National Security (B) withdrawal reviewed under MDR guidelines case number
LPRN-T-MDR-2012-002. Segment declassified on 06/22/2016. Archivist: DR]
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542
[National Security]
[523-002-w003]
[Duration: 15s]
Upcoming meeting with Swaran Singh
-US policy in India–Pakistan problems
-Joseph J. Sisco role
-Henry A. Kissinger’s conversation with Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan
-Private channel to the President
-Attempt to prevent Pakistani attack
******************************************************************************
Upcoming meeting with Swaran Singh
-Refugee support for India
-The President’s comments
-Joseph J. Sisco knowledge
-Source of recommendation
-Amount of funds
-Source of money
-Pakistan
-Indonesia
-Turkey
-Repayments
-Credit for aid
******************************************************************************
[Previous National Security (B) withdrawal reviewed under MDR guidelines case number
LPRN-T-MDR-2012-002. Segment declassified on 06/22/2016. Archivist: DR]
[National Security]
[523-002-w004]
[Duration: 18s]
Upcoming meeting with Swaran Singh
-President’s opinion of effect of overt pressure on Pakistan
-The President’s efforts with Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542
-Truthfulness
******************************************************************************
Upcoming meeting with Swaran Singh
-Kenneth B. Keating efforts
-Media attention
Pandering to left wing press
-Willy Brandt toast
-Vietnam reference
-Reference by "other German" to US Vietnam policy
-Brandt
-Comparison with other German leaders
Bull entered at an unknown time after 3:03 pm.
Schedule
-Length of upcoming meeting
-Other appointments
******************************************************************************
[Previous National Security (B) withdrawal reviewed under MDR guidelines case number
LPRN-T-MDR-2012-002. Segment declassified on 06/22/2016. Archivist: DR]
[National Security]
[523-002-w005]
[Duration: 5s]
Upcoming meeting with Swaran Singh
-US interest in preventing an attack
******************************************************************************
Bull left at an unknown time before 3:08 pm.
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542
Swaran Singh, Lakshmi Kant Jha, Kenneth B. Keating, and Joseph J. Sisco entered at 3:08 pm
the White House photographer was present at the beginning of the meeting.
Greetings
Quality of Singh's trip
Greeting from Mrs. Gandhi
Gandhi's recent political victory
-Stability of government
-Effects of election on government
-Keating reports
-Opportunities
-Economic programs
US-India relations
-Current situation in India
-Refugee problems
Manolo Sanchez entered at an unknown time after 3:08 pm.
Refreshments
Sanchez left at an unknown time before 3:41 pm.
US-India relations
-Economic needs of India
-Refugee problems
-Socio-economic tension
-Refugees
-Indian concerns
-Problems
-Possible political settlement
-Negotiations
-Indian objectives in subcontinent
-Mrs. Gandhi
-Bangladesh (East Pakistan)
-Chances of Independence
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542
-Historical background
-Resolution of conflict
-India's interests
-Position of neutrality
-Indian Ambassador to US
-Skill
-Effect on US
-Role of Keating
-Contact with President
-Keating’s concern
-President's awareness of problem
-Poverty
-Instability
-India's concerns
-Population problems
******************************************************************************
[Previous National Security (B) withdrawal reviewed under MDR guidelines case number
LPRN-T-MDR-2012-002. Segment declassified on 06/22/2016. Archivist: DR]
[National Security]
[523-002-w006]
[Duration: 3m 15s]
US–India relations
-Indian Ambassador to US
-US course of action
-Contact with Pakistan
-Efficacy
-Problem of leaks
-Need for Indian confidence
-The President’s knowledge and concern
-Humanitarian assistance
-Prevent armed conflict
-Relay of the President’s message to Indira Gandhi
-The President’s assurance to use his influence
-Further discussions
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542
******************************************************************************
US–India relations
-Indian Ambassador to US
-US course of action
-Financial assistance for India
-US problems
-Legal problems
-Other needs
-US commitment
-Supplemental money
-Long range money
-Return of refugees
-Seriousness of problem
-Keating role
-Indian Ambassador's role
-Need for effective US action
-US involvement in "internal" problems
-Methods of diplomacy
-Reduction of rhetoric
-Financial assistance
-Practical US action
-Appreciation of US support
-Immediacy of problem
-International responsibilities
-Use of financial assistance
-Effect of "buying" a solution
-Return to "old" problem
Bull entered at an unknown time after 3:08 pm.
President’s schedule
Bull left at an unknown time before 3:41 pm.
US-India relations
-Bangladesh
-Refugees
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542
******************************************************************************
[Previous National Security (B) withdrawal reviewed under MDR guidelines case number
LPRN-T-MDR-2012-002. Segment declassified on 06/22/2016. Archivist: DR]
[National Security]
[523-002-w007]
[Duration: 2m 13s]
US–India relations
-Bangladesh
-Public US pressure on Pakistan
-Efficacy of quiet diplomacy
-Financial contributions of German and French
-The President’s opinion
-Rhetoric vs action
-German contributions
-Target amount
******************************************************************************
US-India relations
-President’s previous visits to Delhi
-Problem solving in India
-Drought possibility
-Keating reportage
-Past droughts
-Secretary of Agriculture Comments
-Effect of rain
Political Stability
Singh, et al. left at 3:41 pm.
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, NARA Online Public Access Catalog Identifier: 597542Also recorded on June 16, 1971
- 522-009 1:09 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 1:09 pm and 1:15 pm.
- 522-010 1:15 PM · 1 min — unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 1:15 pm and 1:27 pm.
- 522-011 1:27 PM · 46 min — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House from 1:27 pm to 2:15 pm.
- 523-001 2:15 PM · 3 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 2:15 pm and 2:58 pm.
- 523-003 3:41 PM · 8 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 3:41 pm and 3:43 pm.
- 523-004 3:41 PM · 47 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, Henry A. Kissinger, Charles Bluhdorn, John D. Ehrlichman, and Peter G. Peterson met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 3:41 pm and 4:30 pm.
- 523-008 4:29 PM · 21 sec — President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House from 4:29 pm to 4:30 pm.
- 523-005 4:30 PM · 47 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Alexander P. Butterfield, John M. O'Neill, Melvin Stephens, Charles W. Colson, Stephen B. Bull, Manolo Sanchez, Henry A. Kissinger, White House operator, unknown person(s), and Rose Mary Woods met in the Oval Office of the White House from 4:30 pm to 5:15 pm.
Cite this conversation
Conversation 523-002, June 16, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/523-002 (accessed October 22, 2026).