690D.91/7–2550: Telegram
The Ambassador in Pakistan (Warren) to the Secretary of State
91. Liaquat on his return from Delhi today told me results of his 16 hours conferences with Nehru and Dixon.1 Dixon proposed that immediate consideration be given to implementation of the SC resolution that had resulted in his appointment and suggested specifically: (1) that Azad Kashmir forces be disbanded and the northern area be placed under jurisdiction of UN officers who would be appointed district magistrates to maintain order and prepare that part of area for the plebiscite; (2) that Abdullah’s militia be disbanded in the vale; (3) that Nehru’s army be withdrawn from Kashmir and Jammu down to an agreed figure necessary for internal policing; (4) that UN officers be appointed district magistrates in part of Kashmir and Jammu now held by Nehru’s army to keep order and prepare the people for the plebiscite.
Nehru rejected these proposals categorically and said that the size of his armed forces to be retained in Kashmir would be determined by recommendation of his military staff. His staff have recommended that no diminution of forces can be accepted because of necessity of holding Kashmir against a surprise attack by Pakistan army.
[Page 1416]Liaquat said that from this point on the conversations were taken up largely by arguments between Dixon and Nehru. Dixon could not support Nehru’s fear of attack from Pakistan and held the point of view that unless Nehru were to modify his attitude substantially it would not be possible to hold a fair plebiscite under the guns of Indian army. The Prime Minister added that from time to time in conversations Nehru asked why it was that the SC had moved so quickly against North Koreans and yet had done nothing when his forces were attacked in Kashmir by Pakistan. Liaquat reminded him that at time of partition the proportionate size of Indian and Pakistan armed forces was 2 to 1. Now it is nearer 4 to 1. In response to Nehru’s inquiry why Pakistan was continuing to arm itself, Liaquat asked him why he was continuing to expand his regular and militia troops and offered if Nehru would meet him to reduce Pakistan strength to relative size at time the 2 states came into being. The press note given out last night at Delhi was drafted by Dixon. It was agreed that Dixon would remain in Delhi and discuss with Nehru after meeting of the GOI Cabinet tomorrow any other proposals that Dixon might support as being fair and reasonable and which he might bring to Karachi at end of week to present to Liaquat.
Liaquat then told me he is keeping an open mind for any suggestions Dixon may present, but he asked Dixon not to press India’s minimum position unless he felt it was a fair proposal. Several times during conversations Nehru talked of war between the 2 countries and this seemed to be upsetting to Dixon. Liaquat feels that if Nehru believed he could launch a war without too much cost that he might try it without taking into consideration the probability of millions of Hindu and Muslim civilians murdering one another. Liaquat’s feeling is that nothing may be done until he hears further from Dixon. If Nehru should not recede from his present attitude then Liaquat feels that US and UK must give serious thought to a situation that could easily deteriorate and which from the point of view of Pakistan’s desire to give early and positive help in Korea2 would present a grave risk to their local security should try [any?] substantial force be despatched abroad. He said Nehru came to see him early this a. m. before he took the plane at Delhi to ask if his government had taken a decision about sending armed forces to Korea whereupon Liaquat replied in negative. Then Nehru said he would keep Liaquat informed should GOI decide to give military support in Korea. Liaquat did not commit himself, for, as he put it Nehru had given him no indication of his projected correspondence with Stalin on Korean problem.
Sent Department 91, repeated info Delhi 8, London 3.
- The talks in New Delhi began on July 20 and adjourned July 24 with the next meeting scheduled to be held in Karachi at an unspecified date.↩
- Documentation on Korea is printed in volume vii .↩