745.45F/1–348: Telegram

The Chargé in Pakistan (Lewis) to the Secretary of State

secret
immediate

4. Copies Nehru’s note December 22, and Liaquat Ali Khan’s reply December 301 furnished me last night by Secretary Foreign Affairs mytel No. 2, January 2.2 Substance Nehru’s note known to Department. Liaquat Ali’s reply which runs six long typewritten pages is summary of unsatisfactory relations existing between India and Pakistan and point by point develops thesis that Hindus accepted partition in bad faith, that Pakistan’s very existence is the chief casus belli, that GOI has been following calculated pattern to annoy, weaken and destroy Pakistan, that Kashmir affair is but one incident in long chain such events. Pakistan welcomes reference Kashmir problem to United Nations since this is what GOP has been suggesting throughout as the most effective means resolving mutual differences but expressed disappointment that GOI proposal apparently restricts the reference to single issue Kashmir which now considered by itself would look like a sentence torn out of its context. GOP emphatically repudiates charges of aid and assistance to the invaders. Note states that on contrary GOP has continued discourage tribal movements by all means short of war at serious risk of large scale internal disturbances in Pakistan.

Prime Minister’s note ends with statement that now that Nehru has indicated intention invite intervention UN, a course which GOP has so far ineffectively suggested to GOI for resolving their differences, he takes opportunity invite GOI’s attention main differences standing in way amicable adjustment relations, hopes those differences may be speedily composed and trusts Nehru will agree intervention UN should be invited respect all these matters.

Delhi informed.

Lewis
  1. For text of this exchange, see Government of India, White Paper on Jammu and Kashmir, pp. 74–75.
  2. Not printed.