330/11–1650: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Henderson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 16—7:35 p. m.]
1231. 1. Bajpai today handed me following excerpt from telegram just received from Panikkar, Indian Ambassador to Peking:
[Here followed the message from Panikkar stating that the Chinese delegation to discuss the Formosa issue before the Security Council had left on November 15 and was due in New York on November 19. Panikkar understood that the delegation had been given wide powers to discuss Korea also, provided that the whole question of Korea was taken up and not just MacArthur’s report. Panikkar stated that the Chinese were anxious to settle the Korean question but only on the condition that they were parties to the settlement. His impression was that they would be agreeable to a settlement through discussions held outside the Security Council in view of their firm belief that the original resolution on Korea was invalid because of Chinese and Soviet nonparticipation. Panikkar also understood that the delegation might be willing to discuss informally with the representatives of other powers, including the United States, issues of a general nature.]
2. Bajpai said that he was giving me this without comment because:
- (a)
- He had lost confidence in Panikkar and;
- (b)
- He did not want US Government to misunderstand motive in passing this along. GOI was not trying to bring pressure on US to come to understanding with Peking and did not know whether such understanding was possible. Nevertheless, GOI was still anxiously hoping some development would take place which would forestall another world war. This telegram was so different from others which have been received from Panikkar that he was hoping China was commencing have more sober thoughts about possibilities of third war.
3. Bajpai told me in utmost confidence that telegraphic instructions were being sent to Panikkar instructing him, in case Peking appears to be taking more friendly attitude than it has assumed since launching Tibetan campaign, again impress upon Communist China that no great powers have designs against it and express hope it will refrain from pursuing policies which may lead to war. He said Panikkar had been informed it would be useless deliver this message unless attitude Peking was more friendly than it had been during recent weeks.
Department pass London. Repeated info London 49.