Wikileaks: Indira offered Pakistan nuclear technology in 1974
Bhutto had rejected Indira’s offer.
Indira Gandhi, the former Indian prime minister, in 1974. PHOTO: AFP
Former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi had offered nuclear technology to her Pakistani counterpart Zulfikar Ali Bhutto after the country conducted its first nuclear test in 1974, The Times of India reported on Wednesday, quoting a Wikileaks cable.
The cable says that Indira informed her parliament on July 22 that she had told Bhutto that New Delhi would be ready to share relevant technology with Pakistan.
“I have explained in my letter to Prime Minister Bhutto the peaceful nature and the economic purposes of this experiment and have also stated that India is willing to share her nuclear technology with Pakistan in the same way she is willing to share it with other countries, provided proper conditions for understanding and trust are created. I once again repeat this assurance,” WikiLeaks quoted Indira as saying.
The US Embassy cables released by WikiLeaks added that Bhutto had rejected Indira’s offer.
(With additional input from Times of India)
Published in The Express Tribune, April 11th, 2013.