Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V, Part 1

845.00/4–1248: Telegram

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

confidential

New Delhi, April 12, 1948—3 p. m.

287. Embdesps 374 December 3, 270 March 28, 340 April 10.¹ Nizam’s Agent-General New Delhi sent Embassy note April 6² which referred standstill agreement provisions authorizing Hyderabad appoint Agents-General and stated Nizam wished appoint Ahmed Mohiuddin former general manager Hyderabad State Bank Bombay Branch as Agent-General Washington. Note expressed hope US Government would extend “all reasonable facilities to Agent-General on his arrival in US” and said GOI had been informed selection Mohiuddin.

Agent-General’s note was discussed External Affairs Ministry. Embassy has now received note from External Affairs³ setting forth GOI views on scope of function of Hyderabad Agents-General in foreign countries. Note states GOI must consider “whole position afresh” as Hyderabad Government has committed breach several provisions standstill agreement and that “any action taken re appointment by Hyderabad Government of Agents-General abroad might well lead to further difficulties”. Note suggests Embassy inform Nizam’s Agent-General that matter will be dealt with by GOI. Texts of notes follow airmail.⁴

Embassy believes only course of action is to advise Nizam’s Agent-General that GOI has informed Embassy GOI will deal with matter and that until question is settled between Hyderabad and GOI Embassy will defer consideration Hyderabad request for appointment Agent-General Washington. Embassy will await Department’s telegraphic instructions this point before communicating with Nizam’s Agent-General Delhi.⁵

Department please repeat London if desired.

Grady

1. None printed.
2. Note 178 dated April 6, 1948, not printed.
3. Note 350–PA/48 dated April 10, 1948, not printed.
4. Notes transmitted to the Department in despatch 350 from New Delhi, April 12, 1948, not printed.
5. The Acting Secretary, in telegram 221 of April 15, not printed, replied as follows: “Dept agrees (Embtel 287, April 12) Nizam’s Agent-General should be informed Emb deferring consideration Hyderabad request for appointment Agent-General Washington pending GOI-Hyderabad clarification nature his status. Refer Depts Airgram A–40, March 29” (845.00/4–1248).