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

845.00/7–2648: Telegram

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

confidential

New Delhi, July 26, 1948—noon.

612. Embtel 610, July 26.¹ Delhi press today carried account attack by Razakars on Indian troops going from Sholapur to Indian enclave of Barsi. Deputy UK High Commissioner states five Indian troops killed in attacks, made from ambush, cause GOI react strongly as Hyderabad Government had agreed free passage Indian troops across this strip Hyderabad territory.

In view atrocities described by Joshi (Embtel 606 dated July 24¹) Nehru’s fighting speech Madras yesterday² and this attack on Indian troops, Embassy considers situation has deteriorated and is no longer completely convinced India will defer taking military action against Hyderabad until expiration standstill agreement November 15. UK High Commissioner’s office also considers situation grave. GOI ministers apparently believe they can localize military operations against Hyderabad and do not take in consideration that operations against that state could cause repercussions all over India and particularly Indo-Pakistan relations already strained to breaking point as result failure resolve Kashmir problem. Some sources believe GOI might try take advantage present lull Kashmir operations as result monsoon to march into Hyderabad in expectation that state could be brought under Indian control before resurgence military activity Kashmir after monsoon.

UK High Commissioner’s office is sending Fry, an official Deputy High Commissioner’s Office Bombay, to Hyderabad today so that he can be on spot to take necessary steps for safety British and American residents that state.

Sent Department 612; repeated Karachi 127; Department pass London from Delhi; pouched Bombay; Calcutta; Madras.

Donovan

1. Not printed.
1. Not printed.
2. The speech made by Nehru in Madras on July 25 was bitterly critical of Pakistan’s action in regard to Kashmir. The Chargé in Pakistan, in his telegrams 386 and 389 of July 27 and 31, respectively (not printed); expressed annoyance with Nehru’s words and informed the Department that an editorial of July 27 in Pakistan’s newspaper Dawn considered Nehru’s strong language a breach of the agreement on the U.N. Commission’s resolution of July 14 calling for restraint in the use of provocative statements (745.45F/7–2748 and 7–3148).