Explosive Kissinger comments make it back to headlines following his death

Following the death of former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, interesting tidbits from archival material featuring statements made by him have begun doing the rounds in some circles.

Among them are the famously nasty observations he had made about Indians and Indira Gandhi during the times of the 1971 war.

In July 2005, the US Department of State declassified the said recorded communications between former US President Richard Nixon and Kissinger.


In these tapes, Nixon and Kissinger are heard discussing their meeting with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The conversation turns heated, with Nixon labeling Mrs. Gandhi as an "old witch," and Kissinger using derogatory language, referring to her as a "b***h" and Indians as "b*****ds".

The tapes also reveal Nixon's offensive comments about Indian women, describing them as "most sexless" and "pathetic." Following the public disclosure of these remarks, Kissinger attempted damage control, expressing regret and underlining his respect for Mrs. Gandhi.

He later tried to put these statements as "reflective of the Cold War atmosphere", where India had sided with US' mortal enemy Soviet Union.

Despite Kissinger's damage-control efforts, the tapes became a lasting stain on his legacy.

Kissinger, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, served as a top diplomat under two US presidents, eventually leaving an indelible mark on American foreign policy.

In the 1970s, he had played a role in many of the epoch-making global events of the decade while serving as Secretary of State under President Richard Nixon.

The German-born Jewish refugee's efforts led to the diplomatic opening of China, landmark US-Soviet arms control talks, expanded ties between Israel and its Arab neighbours, and the Paris Peace Accords with North Vietnam.

Kissinger's impact on US foreign policy waned with Nixon's resignation in 1974. However, he continued to be a diplomatic powerhouse under next President Ford and kept on offering strong opinions throughout the rest of his life.