711.45/5–1748
Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. Joseph S. Sparks of the Division of South Asian Affairs
| Participants: | Brigadier D. Chaudhuri, Military Attaché |
| Mr. I. S. Chopra, First Secretary, Indian Embassy | |
| Mr. Raymond A. Hare, SOA | |
| Mr. Joseph S. Sparks, SOA |
Mr. Hare opened the conversation by referring to the informal talk of May 10 which Mr. Chopra and Brigadier Chaudhuri had had with Mr. Sparks on the subject of the exchange of military information between India and the United States. He expressed his appreciation and approval of the Embassy’s approach to the Department at least in the preliminary stages of the solving of specific problems at what might be termed the “operating level”. Mr. Hare pointed out that results satisfactory to both nations in the gradual growth and strengthening of bi-lateral relations were often achieved by following the procedure which had been utilized by the Indian Embassy in this case. He then asked Mr. Sparks to report on the results of the conversations which had been held with the Army.
Mr. Sparks explained that following the meeting of May 10 he and Mr. Thurston held exploratory discussions with Army authorities and that they had been very gratified by the warmth of their reception and the extent of the genuine interest of the Army in India. He said that Mr. Thurston and he had explained the Government of India’s reaction to the requests for detailed military information which had been made by the American Military and Air Attachés in New Delhi and that the Army authorities felt this reaction to be highly reasonable and were prepared at any time to give Brigadier Chaudhuri similar information to that which had been requested of the Indian Government. The Army was not only prepared to make such information available but had already given considerable information to Mr. Vesugar, former Chief of the India Supply Mission, concerning the National Guard of the United States. In the future they would make information available only to Brigadier Chaudhuri. Mr. Chopra and Brigadier Chaudhuri agreed that Brigadier Chaudhuri would call upon Colonel Francis Graling, Chief of the Foreign Liaison Branch, in the near future and would subsequently call upon Colonel Graling’s opposite number in the Air Forces, Colonel Louis W. Proper. It was apparent that both Mr. Chopra and Brigadier Chaudhuri were fully satisfied by this portion of the conversation.
Mr. Hare said that he understood that Mr. Chopra had suggested to Mr. Sparks on May 10 the possible initiation of a review of general [Page 512] Indo-American relations. He asked Mr. Chopra what the nature of the review he had had in mind might be.
Mr. Chopra responded that the Embassy of India was particularly interested in establishing a procedural approach which would be effective for the treatment of individual problems as they arose. In this connection he mentioned specifically Mr. Nehru’s experience in talking with Mr. Henderson last week which he quoted Mr. Nehru1 as describing as “the most satisfactory experience which I have had since arriving in Washington”.
Mr. Hare said that in his opinion the Embassy had made an effective type of approach on the current question of the exchange of military information which had been resolved so happily. He said that both he and Mr. Sparks held themselves ready at all times for discussions of any problems which arose. He further explained that the basic endeavors of the U.S. Government in international relations today are to contribute to the creation of world wide conditions in which the Charter of the United Nations can function effectively; and added that it is particulary gratifying that India’s basic endeavors are directed along the same lines.
In ensuing general discussion Mr. Hare observed that, because of the multitudinous aspects of our over-all relations, the American Government had not found it practicable in the past to conduct comprehensive over-all discussions of bilateral relations. In addition, he pointed out that, in any event, it would in all probability be undesirable to attempt to establish a formal blueprint of relations inasmuch as such a blueprint would imply detailed implementation, and possible failures of implementation in unpredictable circumstances might result in negation of the original desire to solidify relations. He cited as an example that, as close and friendly as American relations have traditionally been with the Government of Canada, we have never held comprehensive discussions of over-all policy but have dealt with each problem as it arose using as background the broad understanding and communities of interest which existed between the two countries. In this connection Mr. Hare said that in his opinion the same type of broad understanding and communities of interest existed between the people of America and the people of India and their governments, and that this had become apparent in numerous discussions such as those between Mr. Henderson, Mr. Lovett, and Sir Girja Bajpai during Sir Girja’s recent visit to the United States.
The conversation terminated with an expression by Mr. Chopra of his appreciation for the frankness which had characterized it and his satisfaction with its results. He indicated that he was in complete [Page 513] agreement with Mr. Hare both as to the impracticability and undesirability of attempting over-all discussions and as to the bonds of broad general objectives and communities of interest between India and the United States.
- R. K. Nehru, Indian Minister in Washington.↩