690D.91/8–2550: Telegram
The Ambassador in India ( Henderson ) to the Secretary of State
476. 1. In view supersensitiveness displayed by Nehru at US “pressure” on India re Kashmir I have carefully refrained of late from mentioning subject to MEA. During my talk with Bajpai Secretary-General MEA on August 24 I noted he was leading discussion in direction Kashmir but I still refrained from mentioning subject. As I was leaving he asked if I had any idea when SC might again take up Kashmir question or what it might do in that regard. I replied in negative still displaying lack of interest. Bajpai then remarked that it was unfortunate Dixon’s mission had been unsuccessful.
2. I said I also was disappointed and my disappointment was sharpened by feeling he had misled my government with regard attitude GOI on Kashmir. In response to Bajpai’s questioning I said it had been my impression GOI really desired solution of partition-plus-plebiscite and that if it could have most of Jammu and Ladakh it would be willing agree to conditions for plebiscite in Vale which would be so generous that no one could later reasonably charge that plebiscite had been unfair.
3. Bajpai insisted my impression had been correct. He said that had been GOI position and still was its position. GOI did not believe, however, it would be necessary replace present Government Kashmir with UN administration in order have fair plebiscite. GOI would be displaying lack of confidence in present Government Kashmir if it should agree to suspension functioning that government during plebiscite period. Public reaction in India would be so sharp that no government which had agreed to such arrangement could survive. This had been opinion not only of Nehru but also of other members of Foreign Committee of Cabinet—Patel, Rajagopalachari and Ayyangar. Dixon, however, had offered no alternative. He had taken position there could be no fair plebiscite under Abdullah regime. It was on this issue and nothing else discussions had broken down. GOI was still willing discuss direct with GOP or under auspices SC solution involving partition with plebiscite in Vale under conditions which reasonable observers UN must consider fair.
[Page 1427]4. I told Bajpai I still was not optimistic. He said that one constructive result of Dixon’s visit had been that solution of partition-plusplebiscite had finally been placed on table for discussion.