Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, China, Volume XIX

404. Telegram From the Embassy in India to the Department of State⁰

New Delhi, November 26, 1960, 8 p.m.

1099. Foreign Secretary Dutt called my attention to GOI white paper covering Indo-Chinese Communist relations from period March–October 1960¹ in which India had protested repeated violations from Indian airspace by Chinese Communist planes. Chinese Communist reply asserted twice no Chinese planes over Indian territory but these American planes based Formosa which had been dropping arms, agents and equipment to Tibetans. Dutt added by way of comment that four Tibetan refugees recently arrived Ladakh had US arms but I pointed out that most arms this area war surplus to which he agreed.

Dutt said he of course did not know whether we had dropped supplies in Tibet but he wished inform me GOI planning take vigorous action shoot down planes violating Indian territory. Therefore he hoped that if we planning air drops in future we would not fly over Indian territory. If US plane shot down it would create “tremendous furor”.

Dutt added GOI preparing further documentary evidence against Chinese Communists.

Comment: I believe Dutt’s statement indication that while GOI not averse to aid being rendered Tibetans fearful that if US plane brought down over Indian territory it would greatly weaken Indian position vis-à-vis Chinese Communists, lend color to Chinese Communist assertion rebellion instigated by US, pull rug from under severe critics of Chinese Communists in press and parliament, and turn public opinion against US, which GOI most anxious avoid.

Bunker

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 691:93/11–2660. Secret; Limit Distribution.
1. Notes, Memoranda and Letters Exchanged Between the Governments of India and China, March 1960–November 1960: White Paper No. IV (New Delhi: Ministry of External Affairs, 1960).