Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, South and Southeast Asia, Volume XV

273. Telegram From the Embassy in India to the Department of State²

New Delhi, June 5, 1958—5 p.m.

3121. Reference: Embtel 3060.³ Following are highlights my half-hour talk with Nepal King June 3 during his three-day visit Delhi en route Moscow:

US aid—King repeated statement made to me my last visit Nepal in April that he felt there were too many American technicians in Nepal and expressed hope Nepalese could be trained rapidly to take positions of leadership in development country. He appeared mollified when I assured this our objective also and we attempting keep technicians to minimum number commensurate with need provide adequate training of Nepalese, sound implementation of development projects, and ability Nepal to absorb aid at rate which would demonstrate definite progress. King again expressed satisfaction with type, scope and progress of our aid. I reminded him that as soon as all pending agreements signed total of projects agreed to this year would amount to some $13 million.

Soviet aid—King stated he well aware of possibility of substantial offer of Soviet aid. However, he wished inform me that he was not influenced by aid received from any country and that he well aware as King that he represented a system far different from that sponsored by USSR. At same time it was incumbent on him to develop his country and he could not reject aid offered on terms he considered satisfactory.

Internal affairs—Commenting on internal Nepalese developments, King mentioned

(1) He expected continued difficulties from K.I. Singh⁴ who spending large sums of money origin of which a mystery unless they were funds brought with him from China;

(2) New Council of Ministers should help stabilize the political situation. He considered Subarna sound and competent chairman;

(3) Advisor Assembly would not function until his return late in August;

(4) Elections would be held on schedule.⁵

Bunker

2. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 790. C11/6–558. Confidential. Repeated to Kathmandu. Ambassador Bunker, resident in New Delhi, was also accredited as Ambassador to Nepal.
3. In telegram 3060, May 28, the Embassy reported that King Mahendra was leaving Kathmandu on June 2 for an extended foreign tour of the Soviet Union and Europe. It noted that, as a result of his trip, some rapprochement with the Soviet Union was likely, especially in the field of economic assistance. (Ibid., 790C.11/5–2858)
4. Prime Minister of Nepal, July–November 1957.
5. King Mahendra visited the Soviet Union June 4–26. A joint communiqué, issued at the conclusion of the visit, referred to continuing discussions of possible Soviet aid to Nepal and an invitation to Kliment Yefremovich Voroshilov, Chairman of the Presidium, Supreme Soviet, to visit Nepal. Documentation on the King’s visit is in Department of State, SOA Files: Lot 63 D 306, Visit by the King of Nepal to the USSR.