Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, South Asia, Volume VIII

8. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Pakistan¹

Washington, July 27, 1955–1:29 p.m.

194. Reply Embtel 78² delayed pending reply New Delhi re text Nehru July 16 Kashmir remarks.³ Suggest reply GOP along following lines:

1. Primary concern US is and has been Kashmir issue be settled peacefully in manner acceptable both GOP and GOI.

2. US regrets statements or actions by Indians or Paks which have effect detracting atmosphere good will such as Pant statements and Nekowal incident.⁴

3. Department hopes recent improvement Pak-Indian relations mentioned Prime Minister talk July 1 will continue and provide atmosphere helpful ultimate solution Kashmir.

4. US believes Nehru’s assurances at commencement of Kashmir crisis in October 1947,⁵ provisions of January 5, 1949 UNCIP resolution and subsequent reaffirmations in UN Security Council hearings all commit India settle future Kashmir through plebiscite. Also Nehru remarked July 16 “India has stood by her declarations on Kashmir in the past, it stood by them today and would continue to uphold them in the future.”

5. In light above US considers India has not formally repudiated its UN plebiscite commitment.

FYI This conclusion distinct from question India’s actual intentions. India obviously would prefer other solutions, but may be seeking some solution which would satisfy plebiscite commitment. Department believes bilateral discussions more likely be fruitful than further UN consideration at this stage and this impression should be conveyed Paks well as Indians despite apparent delay Nehru—Ali talks originally scheduled August (Delhi’s 134).⁶

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 690D.91/7–1455. Confidential. Drafted by Francis D. Collins and Harold D. Josif of the Office of South Asian Affairs, cleared with UNP, and approved by Jones. Repeated to New Delhi and London.
2. In telegram 78 from Karachi, July 14, Ambassador Hildreth reported that Foreign Secretary Jalaluddin Abdur Rahim asked him for the views of the U.S. Government concerning a recent statement regarding Kashmir by Indian Home Minister Pandit Pant. Rahim and other Pakistani officials believed that in that statement Pant repudiated India’s commitment to partake in a U.N.-supervised plebiscite to determine the future of Kashmir. (Ibid.) This statement and other related statements by Pant are summarized in telegram 99 from New Delhi, July 15. (Ibid., 690D.91/7–1555)
3. Nehru’s remarks were transmitted in telegram 130 from New Delhi, July 20. (Ibid., 690D.91/7–2055)
4. A border clash between Indians and Pakistanis in Kashmir.
5. At that time, Nehru stated that “as soon as Kashmir is free from the invaders our troops will have no further necessity to remain there and the fate of Kashmir will be left in the hands of the people of Kashmir.” See Foreign Relations, 1947, vol. III, p. 182.
6. In telegram 134, July 21, Ambassador Cooper reported that when Nehru was asked at a press conference whether his scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Mohammed Ali would take place soon, he replied: “I should not think so.” (Department of State, Central Files, 753D.00/7–2055)