791.00/6–3050: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Henderson) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 30—3:16 p. m.]
983. Upon issuance press statement setting forth GOI position re SC resolutions June 26 [25] and 27 (Embtel 974, June 291) Bajpai Secretary General MEA sent word he would be glad discuss it at his [Page 267] residence my convenience. Bajpai told me in utmost confidence that he felt compensated for staying on in MEA under extremely trying conditions by his contributions during this single day. He had resolved during morning hours that if announcement supporting resolution was not issued in immediate future he must retire at once. He said that he and Prime Minister had spent most of day making drafts and counter-drafts and he was satisfied with final result. He had been called to Cabinet meeting to explain points involved and possible consequences of India’s proposed action and was surprised at calmness with which Cabinet accepted document without change. Only member Cabinet who suggested alterations was Ayyangar Minister of Railways whose suggestions would have vitiated document. Ayyangar received no support from colleagues or from Nehru and resolution was adopted with little debate. Adoption resolution might well result in shift of India’s international position. Much depended on manner in which Commie powers would act in face of India’s announcement and on course of action followed by Western powers. GOI hoped it would not be compelled to give up its present policy of “development of friendly relations with all countries;” “an independent policy … determined solely by India’s ideas and objectives”. It was his aim gradually to effect substitution of this description of GOI policy for such expressions as “policies of positive neutrality” or “policy of nonalignment”.
2. Opinion he had on this day indeed made a notable contribution to the welfare of India and to promotion of world peace. GOI announcement would be received with gratification by all who were opposed to aggression and would help millions of Asian doubters to make up their minds. I personally was grateful to him for the consideration which he had shown me during the last three days and for helpful suggestions which he had given me.
3. Department will realize that although GOI announcement marks distinct step forward we should not assume that Nehru is ready as yet to go along with us all the way. He does not like our Formosa and Indo-China policies and it is not impossible he will give vent at some appropriate or inappropriate time to his feelings by critical outburst. I know it is not necessary to suggest that we observe care in all our utterances to say nothing which might make it appear we believe that GOI by supporting SC resolutions has placed stamp of approval upon all our Far Eastern policies. If we can do so without offense to France it would be particularly helpful here if our public announcements re assistance to Indo-China would place emphasis on our aid to Indo-Chinese states and contain as few references as possible to French in Asia.