Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Africa and South Asia, Volume XI, Part 2

493.919/7–2953: Telegram

The Ambassador in India (Allen) to the Department of State¹

secret

New Delhi, July 29, 1953—7 p.m.

215. Re Embtels 190, July 25² and 192, July 26. Embassy has received note dated July 29 from MEA in reply Embassy’s note July 25, stating small shipment of thorium nitrate made to China with permission GOI; that consignment of thorium nitrate already paid for and ownership passed other hands; and GOI thus not in position to “offload this consignment or to deal with it in any other way at this stage”.

In conversations today between Pillai and myself and between Mani and Drumright, both MEA officials stressed small quantity thorium nitrate involved, desire of GOI to sell thorium nitrate to US Government, and hinted GOI prepared carry out effective administrative controls strategic material but not in position give open commitment.

Allen

1. This telegram was repeated to London as telegram 25, to Colombo as telegram 10, to Singapore as telegram 7, and to Hong Kong as telegram 6.
2. See footnote 1 to telegram 192, p. 1697.