845.00/12–2248: Telegram

The Ambassador in India ( Henderson )1 to the Secretary of State

secret

1108. During talk with Bajpai December 21, I asked regarding GOI reaction events in China. He said that although India did not believe it would be sharply affected in immediate future by Communist victory, it was somewhat concerned at possible ultimate consequences. A Communist China might lead to establishment series of other Communist Asiatic states and to strengthening Communist forces throughout South East Asia. GOI felt that unless there should be considerable deterioration in Indian economic conditions, it could keep Indian Communist movement under control. Plans for Indian economic development were being speeded up in hope of checking inflation and improving living standards.

Both Governor General2 and Nehru, in conversations during last few days seemed even less concerned at Chinese developments. Both appeared confident of Communist victory in China but expressed view that a Communist China would not necessarily be dominated by Soviet Union. Governor General went so far as to say that China under Communist control would probably be more Asiatic and anti-Western and might therefore be more cooperative with India than Kuomintang China, which had contrived “to survive so long only because of its support from without”.

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In general I find a certain smugness in Indian government circles regarding China. There is apparently feeling that China is destined to disappear for some time as a world force leaving India as the foremost Asiatic power, courted on one side by capitalistic powers of the West and on the other by Communist powers of Eastern Europe and Asia.

Henderson
  1. Loy W. Henderson assumed charge of the Embassy at New Delhi on November 19, 1948, succeeding Henry F. Grady, who had been appointed Ambassador to Greece in June.
  2. Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, who assumed office June 21, 1948.