Office of the Historian

793B.00/8–1250: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State

top secret   niact
London, August 12, 1950—7 p. m.

880. Embtel 848, August 11 repeated New Delhi 22.1 Lloyd Foreign Office has informed Embassy office in strict confidence substance of conversation between Bajpai and Acting UK High Commissioner to following effect:

[Page 431]

GOI is urgently instructing Panikkar immediately take up with CPG Foreign Minister on firm although friendly lines subject of Tibet urging CPG avoid offensive action against it. In event Panikkar’s representations appear likely to be rebuffed, he is authorized to state that India will have to withdraw its support from seating CPG representative in SC. In event of invasion, India contemplates taking matter up in some form with SC. Bajpai has especially asked UK to give India hand for present in order that Indian negotiations with Communist China be on an Asiatic-to-Asiatic basis. He has requested that the British Chargé d’Affaires Peiping refrain for present from making any representations on the subject of Tibet.

Lloyd has specially requested that under no circumstances should US officials intimate to Indian officials they in possession of above information.

Sent Department 880, repeated info New Delhi 25.

Douglas

  1. Not printed. It reported on expressions of concern from British officials, including the Acting High Commissioner in India, on probable adverse Indian reactions to receipt of word from Tibetan sources that the United States was extending military aid to Tibet; The British officials felt that the United States should approach the Indian Government directly on this matter. (793B.00/8–1150)

    Department telegram 230, August 11, to New Delhi, not printed, authorized the Embassy to approach the Government of India before the Tibetans did so, at its discretion (793B.00/8–1150).

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