845.00/3–2048: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Smith) to the Secretary of State
512. Can confirm information given by Chinese Ambassador New Delhi to Ambassador Grady on statements of Mrs. Pandit. She has had similar confidential conversations with me and, I believe, with heads practically all missions in Moscow except Soviet satellites.
She is obviously much concerned at Molotov’s change in attitude, but there is no real reason why she should be as both British Ambassador and myself had warned her honeymoon period for her would last few months and thereafter she would have to take bitter with sweet, with emphasis on former.
She asked my advice as to whether, in event public opinion in India further aroused, it would be good move for India to discontinue present relations with USSR, and said public opinion in India so aroused it would probably be difficult to send another chief of mission when she left. I told her I thought it would be tactical disadvantage, as India [Page 500] so close to USSR it should be decided advantage to maintain adequate listening post Moscow.
She emphasized her brother1 had been deeply affronted by actions and attitude Soviet Ambassador New Delhi. She herself now restricts her attendance at Soviet official functions to about fifteen minutes.
She informed me Nehru and most Indian leaders had long since made up their minds natural alignment was with west, but that Nehru felt at present in view Indian relative impotence and fact that nation is still in swaddling clothes it would be ridiculous to talk publicly of military participation in event of war. Her belief, which apparently reflects that of brother, is that India’s present role in family of nations should be modest and relatively humble one until nation has solved own internal difficulties.
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Repeated to London as 36. Department repeat to New Delhi.
- Prime Minister Nehru.↩