What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is Declassified. Today, we examine a Central Intelligence Agency memorandum from September sixth, nineteen sixty-three, titled, "The Chinese Communist Military Threat to India." This document, available at theblackvault.com, provided a high-level assessment to the Special Assistant to the President. This memorandum was released by the C-I-A on December first, two thousand four, under the declassification authority of Executive Order twelve thousand nine hundred fifty-eight. The document is marked as Top Secret Code Word Excised, indicating its high sensitivity at the time of creation. The document reads: "MEMORANDUM FOR: Mr. McGeorge Bundy Special Assistant to the President SUBJECT: The Chinese Communist Military Threat to India One. There are several reasons to be concerned over the possibility of a Chinese Communist attack on the Sino-Indian border. First, the weather becomes favorable for military operations and continues favorable until toward the end of the year in mid-September. Second, the ChiComs have forces in Tibet (around one hundred twenty-nine thousand) capable of launching an attack on the scale of last fall with little or no warning, and, in fact, they have improved their logistical position by improving roads and establishing supply dumps. Finally, the ChiComs may have a political or psychological urge to demonstrate their militancy and their lack of fear of their enemies by giving the Indians another black eye right in front of both the Russians and the Americans. They may think a limited military foray would carry little risk of direct involvement with U.S. forces. On the other hand, there is no solid evidence of concrete preparations for attack. Joe Alsop's articles reflect concern in New Delhi where memories of last fall's military debacle are still fresh. The Indians are super-sensitive to any indication of Chinese military activity, and they have tended to exaggerate the evidence of the rather limited activity that we know about and to interpret it as a build-up for immediate attack. While we cannot be sure we would get any warning of intent to attack in this region on the relatively small scale of forces that would be involved, we are confident that such firm information as we have supports the capability to attack and does not support a clear intent to attack. Three. The Chinese have directed a number of harsh propaganda blasts at India since their withdrawal last fall, but the tone and volume have been much more restrained than immediately prior to the opening of hostilities last year. Both Foreign Minister Chen Yi and the authoritative People's Daily have recently reaffirmed China's intention to settle the border problem peacefully, although Peiping has warned New Delhi that it must bear the consequences for any rash actions in the future. In this connection, a Chinese Communist note to New Delhi of third September issued the last of a series of strong protests against Indian activities in border areas. Four…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

Today, We Examine A Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum From September

◆ BLUF — The short version

This is Declassified. com, provided a high-level assessment to the Special Assistant to the President. This memorandum was released by the C-I-A on December first, two thousand four, under the declassification authority of Executive Order twelve thousand nine hundred fifty-eight.

Date: SEP 7 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

↯ Dispatch — press play1:00

0:001:00

↯ Share

X in r/

Episode notes

This is Declassified. Today, we examine a Central Intelligence Agency memorandum from September sixth, nineteen sixty-three, titled, "The Chinese Communist Military Threat to India." This document, available at theblackvault.com, provided a high-level assessment to the Special Assistant to the…

View the primary source document

Questions about this case

What was Today, We Examine A Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum From September about?: This is Declassified. com, provided a high-level assessment to the Special Assistant to the President. This memorandum was released by the C-I-A on December first, two thousand four, under the declassification authority of Executive Order twelve thousand nine hundred fifty-eight.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

intelligence-vault

Related cases

✉ Dispatches

A short dispatch when a new file is released — narrated, answer-first, and linked straight to the primary source. No spam; unsubscribe anytime.

↯ Subscribe to the feed

RSS feed Browse all cases

Today, We Examine A Central Intelligence Agency Memorandum From September

Questions about this case

Related cases

CIA Today, We Examine A Declassified C I A Record Detailing A Request

Army: From Declassified, This Is An Audio Briefing Of A Declassified United States

Declassified This Is A Declassified United States Intelligence Cable

United States Air Force Intelligence Memorandum Dated March Thirtieth, Nineteen

CIA United States Department Of State Memorandum Of Conversation Regarding U.s

Questions about this case

Related cases

CIA Today, We Examine A Declassified C I A Record Detailing A Request

Army: From Declassified, This Is An Audio Briefing Of A Declassified United States

Declassified This Is A Declassified United States Intelligence Cable

United States Air Force Intelligence Memorandum Dated March Thirtieth, Nineteen

CIA United States Department Of State Memorandum Of Conversation Regarding U.s

Get the next declassified case in your inbox