February 23, 1960
Meeting Minutes between Zhang Weile and Soviet Deputy Director of the Far Eastern Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs R. Sh. Kudashev
This document was made possible with support from MacArthur Foundation
Summary of Talks between R. Sh. Kudashev and Zhang Weilie
[To] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
On 21 February, Kudashev, Deputy Director of the Far Eastern Department [of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs] of the Soviet Union, had an informal talk with Comrade Zhang Weile and mentioned the following reasons the Soviet Union is lobbying for Nehru:
(1) Nehru is highly influential in Asia. In addition to India’s 400 million people, many Asian countries wish to listen to Nehru.
(2) The East-West Summit Conference will be held soon. Winning Nehru’s support for the Soviet Union will put the Soviet Union in a fairly advantageous position.
(3) Nehru can become an ally against Eisenhower, Nixon, Herter, and Rockefeller.
As Kudashev believes, it is prudent for China to sign a treaty and agreement with Burma and Indonesia. In particular, the treaty and agreement between China and Burma will not only be a victory for China, but also for the whole socialist camp.
He also said that the international balance of power will undergo major changes if international peace is maintained for the next five years. Any imperialist attempt to initiate a war will become impossible because they [China] will realize that taking a risk will only lead them to destruction.
He also mentioned the dismissal of the party and governmental leaderships of Latvia due to their local nationalist mistakes last year.
Kudashev explained why the USSR was lobbying for Nehru: His influence in Asia, the importance of Indian support in the upcoming East-West Summit Conference, the possibility of enlisting India as an ally. He also discussed treaties between China and Burma and Indonesia.
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