Office of the Historian

391. Letter From President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Nehru1

Washington, February 5, 1960.

Dear Prime Minister: You will recall that, during our talks in New Delhi last December, I mentioned the forthcoming conference in Geneva on the Law of the Sea. I expressed the hope that you would be able to support a compromise formula of a six-mile territorial sea, coupled with a six-mile contiguous fishing zone. With the gratifying support of the Indian Government, such a proposal came close to adoption at the last conference in 1958.

You were good enough to say that you saw no objection to India’s giving renewed support to such a compromise, but added that you could not commit yourself without discussing the matter with your cabinet colleagues.

I understand that since our talks the United States position has been explained to the Indian Government in some detail by Ambassador Bunker and other American officials. I know that Mr. Bunker would be glad to talk to you further if you so desire.

I am writing to you now, as the time for the conference approaches, because it seems to me especially important that our two governments work together for its success. I hope that, since the occasion [Page 750] of our talks, the Indian Government will have found it possible to support such a compromise proposal as I mentioned. Our information indicates that a formula along some such lines affords the only probable basis for a conference agreement.

The Law of the Sea is a troubled area of international law, where much can be accomplished in removing a serious cause of international tensions if agreement is reached. The contribution which India can make in securing conference agreement is enormous. I hope that your government’s delegation will work, as will mine, for the adoption of a sound and realistic limit to the territorial seas and a successful Conference.

With best wishes and warm personal regard,

Sincerely,

Dwight D. Eisenhower3
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 399.731/2–2060. Confidential; Presidential Handling. Transmitted to New Delhi in telegram 3014, February 5, which is the source text, with the caution that the White House did not intend to make it public. Except for the complimentary close, it is the same as the draft attached to Document 390. In telegram 3015 to New Delhi, also dated February 5, the Department transmitted the text of an aide-mémoire to accompany the letter which explained the U.S. position. (Ibid., 399.731/2–560)↩
  2. Telegram 3014 bears this typed signature.↩