893.01/10–1049: Telegram
The Chargé in India (Donovan) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:44 p. m.]
1221. Deptel 693, October 7. I saw K.P.S. Menon, Secretary [of] Ministry External Affairs, today and communicated substance Deptel [Page 117] 693. Menon said he was very pleased to have expression Department’s view re recognition Communist Government China. He said that GOI felt recognition was something which was inevitable in light of present trend events China. He added, however, that he saw no reason for haste in recognizing Communist regime.
I asked if any decision might be made in absence Prime Minister, Menon replied that no decision would be made before return Indian Ambassador from China (Embtel 1025, September 6) which would not be before end October and that in any event he (Menon) considered decision re recognition Communist regime in absence Prime Minister “extremely unlikely” unless Prime Minister raised question during his absence which Menon considered improbable.
Menon remarked that there were probably not more than 1000 Indians in Shanghai and about 100 in Tientsin and that Indian economic interests in China were insignificant.
Decision re recognition China will be made by Prime Minister and basic factors which will determine this decision are fully set forth Embtel 1025.
Sent Department 1221; pouched Karachi. Department pass London.