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

357.AB/3–254: Telegram

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

confidential

New Delhi, March 2, 1954—7 p.m.

1364. Prime Minister Nehru’s statement in House of People yesterday that US members of UN observer group in Kashmir can no longer be regarded as neutral and hence their continued presence is improper was featured in eight column headlines in local press today and may be regarded as chief positive Indian step in response to Pakistan aid decision. It remains to be seen whether GOI will follow-up with further measures in New York to achieve elimination of US members. It is possible US personnel in Kashmir may be subjected to restrictions on Indian side of cease fire line.

I do not believe we should take any position on Nehru’s observation for the time being. It goes without saying that whatever position we finally take should carefully avoid possibility of interpretation as admission that US observers have been in any way unneutral.²

Allen

1. This telegram was repeated to Karachi, London, and New York.
2. The Department cabled its concurrence on Mar. 3 (telegram 1037 to New Delhi, Mar. 3, 4:04 p.m.; 357.AB/3–254).