(UNTITLED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00287R001302390001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: January 12, 2017
• Document Release Date: September 20, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 4, 1984
• Content Type: MEMO

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Central Intelligence Agency
4 December 1984
INDIA: The Men Around Rajiv Gandhi--A First Look
Summary
Rajiv Gandhi currently turns for advice to many of
his mother's key political and policy advisers but also to
a new group of younger confidants. He probably depends
mainly on the experienced technocrats for policy counsel
and on his friends, particularly Arun Nehru and Arun
Singh, for political advice. We believe that after
elections, assuming Rajiv does well, he will increasingly
consult his friends and other technocrats from India's
post-Independence generation. Some may even be appointed
to cabinet posts. These men are from India's
traditionally elite families, but have wider exposure to
Western business and technology than Indira Gandhi's
loyalists.
This memorandum was prepared by~
of Near Eastern and South Asian Analysis and
the Office of Central Reference. It was coordinated with the
Directorate of Operations. Information as of 21 November 1984
was used in its preparation. Comments and queries are welcome
and m e addressed to the Chief, South Asian Division,
or to the Chief, Near East/Africa Division, OCR
NESA M-84-10309
CR-84-14779
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Rajiv Gandhi, elected to the offices of Prime Minister and
President of the Congress Party shortly after his mother's
assassination, moved quickly to set the tone for his leadership
and election campaign by taking over the portfolios held by his
mother and by reappointing most of his mother's personal and
cabinet advisers. P.C. Alexander and G. Parthasarathi continue
to consult with the new Prime Minister on India's economic and
foreign policies. Prominent members of Indira's "Kitchen
Cabinet," P.K. Mukherjee, P.V. Narasimha Rao, and Ramaswamy
Venkataraman, have been reappointed--even given additional
responsibilities--at least through elections. Rajiv also has
left the Congress Party organization intact. These decisions, in
our view, were designed to demonstrate to voters that he
represents stability and continuity. At the same time the
choices reflected his initial reliance on the experience of those
close to his mother to administer the government.
Still, the new Prime Minister selected close personal
friends and political advisers to fill vacant senior Congress
Party positions. He appointed Arun Nehru to the position of
General Secretary of the Congress Party, a job Rajiv relinquished
when he became Prime Minister, and named Arun Singh Parliamentary
Secretary~osition that had been vacant for the previous 16
Rajiv and the two Aruns, who campaigned with Rajiv for the
Congress Party in state and local elections during the early
1980s, control the Party's 1984 election campaign.
Arun Nehru, Arun Singh, and Rajiv's other close friends are
members of the post-Independence generation in India and share a
personal history that probably makes Rajiv particularly at ease
with their style and advice. They belong to India's elite
families--some to the Nehru dynasty itself--and are comfortable
with their place in both Indian and western society. As young
men they were classmates at the exclusive, private Doon school
outside New Delhi--traditionally a training ground for Indian
politicians and bureaucrats. Later, several acquired
technically-oriented educations at home and in the West.
Like Rajiv, most of his close advisers launched their
careers in private business and L?rofited personally in India's
industrial growth before Indira Gandhi brought them into
politics. Their attitudes towards government reflect a distaste
acquired in the private sector for over-regulation and red tape
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that impedes economic growth. Rajiv has publicly stated his
admiration for Western technology and entrepreneurs. US Embassy
officials report that his advisers share Rajiv's views on the
need to attract foreign investment and technology as well as his
high regard for modern management methods.
Assuming he does well in the elections, we expect Rajiv to
gradually place these advisers and other younger friends in
trusted positions, some as policy confidants, perhaps some in the
Cabinet. We believe that Rajiv is likely to replace most of his
mother's cabinet ministers who have no personal political power
bases in order to put his personal stamp on the newly elected
government.
Rajiv is likely, however, to retain at least for several
months after elections some of his mother's personal advisers.
According to the US Embassy, P.C. Alexander and G. Parthasarathi
will probably have Rajiv's ear by virtue of their knowledge of
foreign and domestic policy actors and issues. 3oth had direct
access to Indira Gandhi and orchestrated the improvement in Indo-
US relations following her visit to Washington in July 1982. F
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SUBJECT: INDIA: The Men Around Rajiv Gandhi--A First Look
Internal Distribution:
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SUBJECT: INDIA: The Men Around Rajiv Gandhi--A First Look (U)
External Distribution:
Peter Burleigh, Bureau of Intelligence and Research, South Asia
Division, Department of State, Room 4636A, Washington, D.C. 20520
Major General Kenneth D. Burns, USAF, Deputy Assistant Secretary
of Defense for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, Room 4D765,
Pentagon, Washington, D.C. 20301
Captain Edward Louis Christensen, USN, Chief, South Asian
Regional Plans and Policy Branch, Department of Defense, Room
2E973, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. 20301
George S. Harris, Director, Office of Analysis for Near East-
South Asian, Department of State, Room 4542, Washington, D.C.
20520
Colonel Kenneth E. McKim, Director, Office of the Secretary of
Defense, International Security Affairs, Near East & South Asia
Region, Department of Defense, Room 4D765, Pentagon, Washington,
D.C. 20301
Robert A. Peck, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near
Eastern and South Asian Affairs, Department of State, Room 6244,
Washington, D.C. 20520
Christopher Ross, Director, Regional Affairs, Bureau of Near
Eastern and South Asian Affairs, Department of State, Room 5254A,
Washington, D.C. 20520
Mark Swartz, Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for
Resources, Department of Defense, Room 3D-777, Pentagon,
Washington, D.C. 20301
Peter Tomsen, Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs,
Director, INS, Department of State, Room 5251, Washington, D.C.
20520
Darnell Whitt, Intelligence Adviser to the Under Secretary of
Defense for Policy, Room 3E-228, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. 20301
Commander Ron Zwart, Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs,
International Security Affairs, Department of Defense, Room
4D7G5, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. 20301
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