398. Telegram From the Embassy in India to the Department of State 0
1858. Reference Deptel 1833.1 I have informed Foreign Secretary Dutt that we had received informal request for interview Dalai Lama with President from former’s New Delhi office and that I had just received personal letter in Tibetan from Dalai Lama saying he could be in Delhi during President’s visit and would like meet President if he has time and thinks he should receive Dalai.
I made points contained reftel and added that while we had been restrained here in commenting on ChiCom aggression against Tibet, he undoubtedly knew this had caused questions in some quarters whether U.S. only interested in aggression against Westerners as in Hungary and that refusal of Dalai Lama’s request (already publicized) might give rise to unfortunate press speculation.
Dutt replied that he thought it would be most unfortunate if Dalai Lama should attempt to see President. Efforts as suggested to keep interview entirely private without press fanfair would be impossible achieve. A controversial matter would be injected into President’s good will visit which is being so warmly welcomed as such as the government’s and people of India. It would cast cloud on whole visit. It would heighten suspicions of ChiComs and add fuel to their charge (which Dutt characterized as “insulting”) that GOI was being pressured by U.S. Government to encourage Tibetan resistance. Dutt said that GOI had given and would continue to give Dalai all reasonable freedom of action. The latter expected leave Mussoorie December 7 to visit Buddhist shrines around India. GOI glad have him do this but did not want him to make political speeches in course his travels.
To my observation that President would be meeting other non-government leaders, some religious associated with peoples of West, and comment might be caused if distinction made with regard to Asiatic religious leader, Dutt replied that he felt situation different with Dalai in that President would meet either leaders in their own countries whereas Dalai was political and religious refugee guest of another country.
To my question Dutt said he reluctant to take up matter with Nehru since he felt it would be disturbing to Nehru in view latter’s present deep [Page 805] involvement in so many difficult problems and would be cloud warm atmosphere surrounding President’s visit. While Dutt advised against bringing request by U.S. Government to Nehru’s attention, he said he would of course do so if U.S. Government insisted. Dutt has been Nehru’s closest advisor on Tibet and ChiCom situations, has drafted GOI notes to ChiComs, and I believe is good judge of what latter’s reactions would be. Moreover, Dutt’s unusual firmness and willingness take responsibility for GOI on this matter suggest to me possibility that Nehru, knowing from press of Dalai’s request to see President, has already indicated to Dutt he does not wish this problem to be raised with him.
I am aware force of arguments contained reftel and Merchant’s eyes only message to me2 but in my judgment proposed meeting would be highly undesirable. I believe it could only be frustrating to both principals. Moreover proposal would cause acute embarrassment to GOI, since meeting would have to be fitted into schedule by GOI as host government and might even affect Dalai’s future position in India as guest GOI. I believe policy we have followed here has paid off as it relates both to Tibetan situation and ChiCom aggression and it would be unfortunate to offset substantial advantages already secured. Same considerations would apply almost to some extent to call by Under Secretary Murphy on Dalai. This could not be kept secret. Moreover such visit unlikely satisfy Dalai, e.g., Gyalo Thondup has expressed great disappointment at not having been received by Secretary.
My recommendation therefore would be that I should write to Dalai replying his letter that request for interview should be channeled through GOI as host government of President and that President will of course respect wishes of GOI concerning his program in India.3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 711.11–EI/11–2359. Secret; Priority.↩
- Telegram 1833 to New Delhi, November 18, transmitted instructions to the Embassy concerning an informal request from the Dalai Lama to meet with President Eisenhower when the latter visited India in December. (Ibid., 711.11–EI/11–1359; see Supplement)↩
- Not found.↩
- Telegram 1946 to New Delhi, November 25, instructed Bunker to write to the Dalai Lama along the lines of this paragraph and to have the letter delivered simultaneously with the letter forwarded in Document 399.↩