A viral image of a 1974 U.S. diplomatic cable is circulating online. It asserts that Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi offered to share India’s nuclear technology with Pakistan following India’s first nuclear test (Smiling Buddha) on May 18, 1974. The image highlights the following excerpt:
“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…”
The claim alleges this was an unconditional offer made by Gandhi post-test.
The image shows a portion of a declassified U.S. diplomatic cable. It includes the above-highlighted excerpt, but ends mid-sentence, omitting the full context.
Fact Check
Upon investigation, we found the claim to be false. It originates from a selectively cropped excerpt of a declassified U.S. diplomatic cable that omits crucial context. The full text of Gandhi’s letter, dated July 22, 1974, clearly states that any offer to share nuclear technology was subject to strict conditions.
Here is the complete excerpt from the letter, found on wikileaks and eparlib.nic.in.
“The Government of India is unable to comprehend the repeated talk of nuclear blackmail indulged in by the representatives of the Government of 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 as she is willing to share it with other countries provided proper conditions for understanding and trust are created. I once again repeat this assurance and hope that the Government of Pakistan will accept India’s position in this regard.”
The image cuts off the sentence after “nuclear technology with Pakistan,” hiding the critical conditional clause: “…provided proper conditions for understanding and trust are created.” This fundamentally changes the meaning, falsely implying an unconditional offer. Gandhi’s actual statement makes clear that any sharing of technology was subject to mutual trust and proper conditions, and applied broadly, not uniquely, to Pakistan.
The letter sought to de-escalate tensions, not to compromise India’s strategic autonomy or offer sensitive technology without safeguards.
The Pokhran Test:
India conducted its first nuclear test, codenamed “Smiling Buddha,” on May 18, 1974, at Pokhran in Rajasthan. India described the test as a “peaceful nuclear explosion” (PNE), meant for civilian applications such as mining and energy. However, the test marked India’s entry into the group of nuclear-capable nations. It raised concerns in the international community. Particularly among neighbouring countries like Pakistan, which accused India of triggering a regional arms race.
In response to these concerns, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi communicated with world leaders, including Pakistan’s Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, to clarify India’s position.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the original statement was about promoting regional stability and cooperation under conditions of mutual trust. The claim that India made an unconditional offer to share nuclear technology with Pakistan is distorted and factually incorrect.
