Reviving Revolutionary Momentum } 195
backed by both Moscow and Washington. Or Pakistan could accede to US,
Soviet, and United Nations pressure for a ceasefire, ending the war well short
of gaining Pakistan’s goals vis-à-vis Kashmir. A group within the Pakistani
leadership reportedly favored a war in alliance with China in which China
would seize a large chunk of India’s NEFA to be exchanged for Kashmir.
(It is not clear what China would get out of such a swap.) President Ayub
Khan ultimately decided that protracted war beside China but with all other
major powers in opposition was too risky a course, and decided on a cease-
fire. Before announcing that decision, however, Khan wanted to assure that
our “Chinese friends be taken into full confidence,” and their reaction be
given the “fullest consideration.”^62 Khan himself flew to Beijing to explain his
choice to Mao and Zhou. Mao gave Pakistan full freedom of action, promis-
ing to support whatever choice Pakistan made. If Pakistan chose protracted
war, China was prepared to bear even the heaviest sacrifices. “Mr. President,”
Mao told Ayub, “if there is nuclear war, it is Beijing and not Rawalpindi [then
Pakistan’s provisional capital] that will be the target.” Mao was apparently
prepared for a second war with India. China avoided that by the decision of
Pa k ist a n’s r u lers.