175. Telegram From the Embassy in India to the Department of State0
New Delhi, October 15,
1962, 6 p.m.
1225. Policy. Given the prospect of continuing and possibly more serious conflict on the Northern Frontier it would seem well that we be clear as to the line being pursued here in dealing with the Indian Government. If the Department agrees we will continue to be guided by the following rules:
- (1)
- We have natural sympathy for the Indians and the problems posed by the Chinese intervention.
- (2)
- We will be restrained in our expressions in the matter so as to give the Chinese no pretext for alleging any American involvement.
- (3)
- We hope for a settlement acceptable to India. We should be careful to avoid any suggestion that Chinese trouble may force a reconsideration of India’s foreign policy. If there is such reconsideration it will obviously begin with Indians.
- (4)
- We will not offer assistance. It is the business of the Indians to ask. We will listen sympathetically to requests. Where, as in the case of the C-119 spares or the Caribous the request is one to which we believe we should accede, we shall move with all promptness and efficiency to supply the items. Mission feels that recent Washington reaction on spares and Caribous was especially impressive to the Indians.
Galbraith
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 691.93/10-1562. Secret; Priority. Repeated to Hong Kong.↩