693.94A/8–1450: Telegram

The Ambassador in India (Henderson) to the Secretary of State

secret

388. 1. I discussed with Bajpai, SYG MEA, today extent to which Peiping might have gone in assuring Panikkar that it had no intention to attack Formosa or to become implicated in present hostilities.

2. Bajpai said Peiping had given no definite assurances to Panikkar about its intentions. In one telegram Panikkar had stated that he had the impression after discussing international situation with Peiping officials that they did not wish to see hostilities extended beyond the confines of Korea. In another telegram he had expressed concern lest Peiping, not wishing to become involved in hostilities just now with US over Formosa might turn its attention for time being to Tibet. On other, hand after visiting Shanghai recently Panikkar reported that he observed Communists were building huge airdromes around that city. Bajpai said Panikkar did not know why these airdromes were [Page 440] being constructed. It was difficult to believe that Chinese thought US was planning attack Shanghai. Bajpai added that his own impression from examination of all of Panikkar’s reports was that Chinese not likely attack Formosa in near future, but it was impossible say with assurance what it might do.

3. Bajpai said GOI had received no reports from Panikkar even hinting that Molotov or any Soviet official of such high rank had visited China since Panikkar’s arrival. (Deptels 228, August 11 and 223, August 10).1

Henderson
  1. Neither printed.