The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have locked horns over the 1988 nuclear agreement between India and Pakistan. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey claimed the deal was signed under pressure from the United States, citing what he said was a declassified letter from then-US President Ronald Reagan to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. According to Dubey, the US dictated the agenda for the nuclear discussions between India and Pakistan.

“Why is Congress upset? I was ashamed after reading this document. It shows President Reagan sending a telegram to Rajiv Gandhi, effectively pushing India to engage with Pakistani President General Zia. The agenda was decided by the US. What this letter reveals is that the 1988 nuclear agreement with Pakistan was driven by American influence,” Dubey posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Congress Rejects BJP’s Allegation

The Congress party dismissed Dubey’s assertion, instead expressing ironic thanks to the BJP for bringing renewed attention to the Congress’ diplomatic legacy. Party spokesperson Pawan Khera clarified that Reagan’s letter actually pertained to seeking India’s cooperation in Afghanistan, highlighting the pivotal diplomatic role India held at the time.

“The letter shows President Reagan appealing for assistance in Afghanistan. He says, ‘I offer to assist.’ That reflects India’s stature during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure,” Khera stated. He contrasted this with recent diplomacy, saying that current U.S. President Donald Trump has used a threatening tone toward Prime Minister Modi, who, according to Khera, chose not to respond.

Background of the 1988 Agreement

The nuclear accord between India and Pakistan, signed in 1988 by Rajiv Gandhi and Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, was aimed at preventing nuclear conflict. The "non-nuclear aggression agreement" committed both nations to refrain from attacking or aiding in attacks on each other’s nuclear facilities.

The agreement was ratified by both countries in January 1991.

Context of U.S. Involvement

This bilateral agreement took place against the broader backdrop of the Cold War, shortly after the U.S. and the Soviet Union signed the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. The U.S. had earlier launched the Six Nation Five Continent Peace Initiative in 1984, advocating for global nuclear disarmament. India, alongside Argentina, Greece, Mexico, Sweden, and Tanzania, was part of this peace push.

Any perceived U.S. involvement in the Indo-Pak deal must be seen in light of its Cold War foreign policy goals, which prioritized nuclear de-escalation amid tensions with the Soviet Union.