Interest of the United States in the political situation in India ¹

^1. For previous documentation, see Foreign Relations, 1944, vol. v, pp. 232 ff.

[In a press conference statement made on January 29, 1945, in response to a question, the Acting Secretary of State (Grew) said (for attribution but not for quotation): “The American Government has continued to follow with sympathetic interest developments in the Indian question. It is naturally hopeful that progress will be made in this difficult matter and would be happy to contribute in any appropriate manner to the achievement of a satisfactory settlement. We have close ties of friendship, both with the British and with the people of India. These ties have been strengthened by our common participation in the war effort.” The Secretary in charge at New Delhi (Merrell), in his despatch 997, February 3, 1945 (not printed), transmitted copies of comments on Mr. Grew’s statement which appeared in certain Indian newspapers, Hindu and Moslem, on January 31 and February 1.]