745.45F/2–2148: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Grady) to the Secretary of State
148. Reference Deptel 101 February 17. I saw Bajpai yesterday and he expressed a desire which he said had full concurrence of Nehru that our govt take initiative in attempting to find a solution for Kashmir problem. GOI recently received a wire from Attlee which irritated Nehru and Bajpai very much. It was patronizing and pressed the India Govt (and undoubtedly the same wire went to Pakistan) to stop being “bad boy” and to straighten out Kashmir matter with Pakistan. Gordon Walker, deputy to Noel-Baker in CRO (Commonwealth Relations Office) arrived New Delhi yesterday en route from Ceylon. He saw Nehru last night and is to see Bajpai today. Bajpai said both he and Nehru would give Walker a “piece of their mind” on the general attitude of HMG on Kashmir dispute.
Abdullah talked with me later in the day and also stressed importance of USG initiative. He expressed opinion our delegation was blindly following British lead and that we should independently and energetically take the leadership.
Bajpai said that he and Nehru had been giving further thought to Kashmir problem since my conversations with him before leaving for Ceylon and outlined new proposals. In order to have them exact, I requested him to commit them to writing and quote verbatim his letter to me written after our conversation:
“As I explained to you in the course of our conversation this morning, we do not propose, when our delegation returns to resume discussion of the Kashmir issue before the SC, to put forward any fresh suggestions ourselves. We shall, however, be willing to consider a solution which may be put forward by, or on behalf of a member of the SC, and which modifies the proposals already made by us on the following lines.
- a.
- Interim govt: Sheikh Abdullah may include one or two members of the Muslim Conference. Such persons must, however, not be outsiders nor shall their selection be dictated from outside.
- b.
- Election of National Legislature: The commission of the SC which it has been proposed should come out, or some other body on the council’s behalf, may advise and observe in respect of this election. However, if, in order to save time, it is desired that the election be dispensed with, we shall have no objection. As you will recall, the idea of a general election before the holding of the plebiscite on the question of accession was principally put forward on our behalf in order to give the electorate in Kashmir an opportunity, if it so wished, to set up a govt of its own choosing.
- c.
- Plebiscite: The plebiscite machinery (and that alone) may be placed on the executive charge of an officer, with an adequate number of top deputies—to be appointed by the govt of Jammu and Kashmir [Page 303] state. On the nomination of the SC, or to be lent by the SC, from the United Nation’s staff, for service with the state govt for this purpose.”
Bajpai’s verbal statement was somewhat more “liberal” than his written. For example, he said with reference to point (a) two or three members of the Muslim Conference instead of one or two. He again stressed the fact that no one has come forth with practical suggestions as to how and by whom an interim govt could be set up if Abdullah were eliminated. In any case it is clear to the Embassy that there is little possibility of getting Abdullah eliminated and I am convinced that it would be equally impossible to get the Indian Govt to accept the suggestion in your telegram 101 of February 19 [17] that Abdullah might fit into the picture of a coalition govt other than as head. The suggestion of a coalition govt in paragraph (a) assumes that it will function with Abdullah at the head.
With regard to (b) he said that suggestion of Indian delegation with respect to a parliamentary election prior to plebiscite was designed to give people of Kashmir opportunity to “throw out” Abdullah if they wished to do so. They are not now pressing the matter of a parliamentary election before the plebiscite.
With regard to (c) whole machinery can be worked out by SC or administrator and deputies which will be appointed by Govt of Jammu and Kashmir state. However he said that appointment in this manner was to preserve constitutional proprieties. He assured me that any administrator and his assistants that SC would recommend would be formally appointed by Govt of Jammu and Kashmir. I asked him if report to the SC on plebiscite which would be made by administrator would receive whole-hearted support of GOI if plebiscite went against India. He replied very emphatically that it would because GOI is committed to accept verdict of people based on plebiscite.
Dept please repeat London if deemed advisable.