Dobrynin describes reports that the United States is increasing its combat readiness in light of the conflict in the Middle East and to deter the Soviet Union. He suggests that the Soviet Union protest the United States' nuclear brinkmanship.

Brezhnev tells Gandhi about the Soviet Union's concern with recent American actions in the Middle East and shares his fear of increased nuclear capacity. Gandhi seconds these worries, celebrates the friendship between India and the Soviet Union, and requests Soviet assistance in developing India's economy.

Encourages interest in a close look at nuclear export policy were negotiations, pre-dating the Indian test, over nuclear reactor sales to Israel, Egypt, and Iran. Chairing the meeting in Kissinger’s absence, Under Secretary of State Joseph Sisco expressed dismay that nuclear nonproliferation had lost high-level support during the Nixon administration.