690D.91/5–550: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in India
460. Urtel 629 May 5. Dept suggests fol be conveyed informally to Menon in ur discretion:
- 1.
- Since it is our understanding both Govts doing best to carry out minorities agreement, we find it difficult understand why Liaquat’s visit to US shld heighten nervousness in Delhi, particularly as GOI knows trip is state visit identical with Nehru’s and planned many months ago.
- 2.
- While we not in position discuss with GOI substance of Liaquat’s statements we do not find it surprising that Liaquat has mentioned interest in obtaining mil equipment. It will be recalled that when Nehru was here GOI officials took up with US officials question of obtaining ammunition; Indian mil mission endeavored obtain mil equipment last year and Ind Emb is continuing efforts.
- 3.
- There has been no change in situation affecting procurement of arms in US by GOP or GOI since last year. Although U.S. cannot commit itself in advance to any specific transaction, in gen there is no objection in principle to purchases from commercial sources. There are still serious obstacles to procurement aid in obtaining items from Govt stocks. (End remarks to Menon.)
FYI Dept finds implications third para urtel exceedingly disturbing. This tends substantiate Dept’s fears GOI making mil pressure an instrument of policy in Nehru-Liaquat talks instead of believing [Page 1411] Liaquat genuinely anxious for peace regardless of Indian troop movements.
Dept concurs Parson’s remarks fourth para. Re sixth para Dept is carefully considering possible effect on GOI of anything we say to Liaquat just as GOP was kept in mind during our conversations when Nehru was in US. Dept does not however consider it any more appropriate to keep GOI currently informed of talks with Liaquat than it wld have been to inform GOP of talks with Nehru, which as you know was not done.
Re last para, Liaquat is quite naturally endeavoring present GOP views in same way Nehru presented GOI views when he was here and has expressed interest in obtaining mil equipment. Dept does not recall any complaints from GOP during Nehru visit. However, in addition to approaches to you, Ind Emb official here has already made informal representations to Dept re certain remarks made by Begum Liaquat and PM.