Office of the Historian

893.00 Tibet/12–3049: Telegram

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

New Delhi, December 30, 1949—1 p. m.
[Received 1:56 p. m.]

1619. Embtel 1523, December 8. In conversation this morning with Embassy officer, Jha49 of Ministry External Affairs said that following, although not yet approved by Nehru, represented thinking of Ministry re Indian policy towards Tibet.

(1)
No purpose would be served in raising question of political status of Tibet at this time. Ministry feels that making issue of Tibetan question at present might precipitate Communist decision invade pursuant their declared intention liberating country.
(2)
At some time subsequent Indian recognition of Chinese Communist Government, scheduled take place tomorrow, Indian Government may initiate “diplomatic pourparlers” with Chinese re status Tibet as GoI strongly in favor of continuance Tibetan autonomy to same extent as has been case in past.
(3)
GoI has received number requests for arms and ammunition from Tibetan Government, has complied with some of these requests, and will send more in future. It cannot, however, render active military assistance in form of despatch troops to Lhasa.
(4)
Ministry External Affairs has not considered what action should be taken in connection with Tibetan application for membership UN.

It appears clear from foregoing India is not requesting Chinese Communists to respect Tibetan autonomy, or even to recognize previous treaties between China and pre-independence Indian Government dealing with Tibet, as prerequisite to establishment relations. Embassy inclined doubt GoI will press Chinese Communists strongly re recognition Tibetan autonomy even if “diplomatic pourparlers” mentioned by Jha initiated at all, since Pannikar, Indian Ambassador China, will probably not wish allow question future Tibet disturb cordial relationship he hopes establish between Indian Government and Chinese Communists. We have impression amount of arms sent Tibet is negligible.

Henderson
  1. C. S. Jha, Joint Secretary of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in charge of American Affairs.↩