Office of the Historian

745.45F/1–448: Telegram

The Chargé in India (Donovan) to the Secretary of State

secret
New Delhi, January 4, 1948—4 p. m.

10. Deptel 817, December 31,1 mytel 5, January 3.2 I saw Nehru today 3 p. m. He said he had received my note conveying Department’s message to GOI.3 I emphasized concern US Government over Kashmiri question and stressed, hope US Government no action would be taken by GOI which would aggravate situation.

Nehru assured me GOI had no intention taking any steps against GOP which would cause situation deteriorate further. I asked Nehru what he thought was most dangerous factor in existing situation. He replied that larger part of west Punjab was now for all practical purposes “tribal territory” and that GOP could neither disarm nor control tribesmen. He said GOI troops would not take offensive action against GOP but that he feared Kashmiri irregulars might raid into west Punjab in retaliation raids into Jammu by tribesmen from west Punjab.

No written reply to Embassy note yet received but I consider Nehru’s verbal assurances entirely adequate.

I saw Bucher4 just prior my call on Nehru. Bucher said Defense Minister5 had approved statements made to me reported in mytel 1, January 2. Bucher still optimistic regarding general situation. He [Page 271] said Mohan Singh former head INA was making trouble along east west Punjab border. Bucher said he was taking every precaution prevent trucks and gasoline from getting into Mohan Singh’s hands and that without those items Mohan Singh could do little. He said east west Punjab border situation fairly quiet.

Reliable sources report Fourth Indian Division moving north into east Punjab. Embassy feels sure in view Bucher’s remarks that this troop movement is purely defensive against possible offensive action from tribesmen in west Punjab.

Nehru said Cabinet member would probably leave for USA immediately after SC meets to present India’s case SC. Cabinet member still not selected.

Department please repeat London as 5.

Copy to Karachi by courier January 5.

Donovan
  1. Foreign Relations, 1947, vol. iii, p. 192.↩
  2. Not printed.↩
  3. Embassy note dated January 2, 1948, not printed, conveyed to Nehru the message transmitted by the Department to the Chargé in telegram 817, December 31, 1947, Foreign Relations, 1947, vol. iii, p. 192.↩
  4. Gen. Francis R. R. Bucher, Commander in Chief, Indian Army.↩
  5. Sardar Baldev Singh.↩