A Brief Record of Cde. L. I. Brezhnev’s Report at a Politburo Meeting

Ref. Point 1 of [Politburo] Minutes Nº 78

[handwritten: 23 September 1982]

A brief record of Cde. L. I. Brezhnev’s report at a Politburo meeting

The talks showed that on the whole Indira Gandhi continues to pursue the policy line which was outlined by her father.

In the area of foreign policy this course provides support for the friendly relations with the Soviet Union and other countries, assistance to initiatives in favor of détente and disarmament, and peaceful coexistence of countries with different social systems. As a consequence of this our points of view have coincided in considerable measure when discussing the important questions of international policy in the talks.

In the course of the talks there was revealed a desire of the Indian government to rely in the future on the aid of the Soviet Union in various fields in order to continue to pursue an independent foreign policy and a policy of the economic development of the country. 

Indira Gandhi is counting on receiving aid from us in the development of such sectors of the economy as power, metallurgy, and also others. She put special reliance on an increase of financial aid from the USSR and soft loans for facilities being built in India. We suggested considering all these questions in a mixed Soviet-Indian commission.

It stands out that this time Indira’s desire to get our support in some domestic political matters was more notable than previously. In particular, Indira complained that the leftists (that is, the Communist Party) are working against her, forming blocs with reactionary forces, and hindering her government from pursuing the planned policy.

Naturally, we replied in the spirit that we understand the importance for India of the unity of all the democratic forces. We invariably stress this in conversations with the Indian Communists, but for obvious reasons we cannot interfere in the affairs of the CPI as an independent Party. 

In light of the talks which were held and the state of Soviet-Indian relations this is how I would formulate our tasks for the future in the area of Soviet foreign policy which is important to us.

It seems advisable to continue to pay close attention to the development and deepening of our ties with India in the following sectors:

First, in the political area, especially considering the fact that for the next three years India and Indira personally will head the non-aligned movement. This opens up good opportunities for our influence on the feelings in this movement;

Second, in the military area, considering the growing interest of India in playing the role of the strongest military power in the south of Asia and the Indian Ocean area. Our influence on the Indian armed forces is also important because in certain circumstances they might play a significant role in the domestic political life of India;

And, finally, in economic questions, in order to strengthen the state sector in India and thereby promote socialist tendencies in the development of the country. Our cooperation with India in the field of energy and other important sectors has prime importance here.

All our departments should constantly keep this in sight and quickly react to questions which arise.

The talks were on the whole useful and productive.