690D.91/11–751: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Bowles)1 to the Secretary of State
confidential
New Delhi, November 7, 1951—6 p. m.
1660. Deptel 947 Nov 6 crossed Embtel 1641, Nov 62 in which Emb expressed view Nehru’s remarks re Kashmir were conciliatory, helpful and afford basis for further Graham effort to achieve demilitarization and ultimate settlement.
Fol are Emb views re questions propounded Depreftel:
- (a)
- We feel Nehru’s remarks do not necessarily reflect shift GOI pol but rather some evolution that pol. Nehru wld be first to deny GOI uncooperative with US or blocking settlement. We interpret Nehru’s remarks to mean he desires early settlement and is willing continue explore means either through SC (with further effort being made by Graham) or through direct discussions with Pak, though he made it clear any direct negotiations cld not overlap with impending SC meeting. But as we interpret Nehru’s remarks, he still insists all Pak troops and most, if not all, local forces wld have to be withdrawn from Kashmir or disbanded as case may be before demilitarization cld be accomplished. If foregoing steps were taken and in GOI and Kashmir Govt cld be assured there wld be no further invasion, Nehru intimated GOI might be prepared withdraw all Ind troops. However, Nehru made it clear demilitarization only one step in reaching final settlement, declaring after that “first major step” settled, “others cld be tackled”. Thus as we read his remarks, Nehru is encouraging further exploration Kashmir issue, either through Graham or directly. We do not perceive he has receded substantially from his original position but rather that he is now prepared move ahead at some points where GOI has held back.
- (b)
- Nehru stated plainly, in reply to a question, he wld give Graham all help possible in exploration further possibilities settlement. We have no reason doubt bona fides this statement. As we view sitn from here, we believe any resolution empowering Graham continue efforts shld be so broadly drawn as to permit his return sub-continent; further, we consider Graham shld not be restricted by inclusion definite time limit, since climate here in Jan may be more conducive settlement than now.
- (c)
- Nehru is clearly of view plebiscite, as he envisages it, wld go as Ind desires, indeed, he stated this plainly in course remarks to Press Nov. 3. This confidence probably predicated on GOI feeling Abdullah’s consolidation or power, popularity, and ability to control electorate now such as to insure vote in favor of Ind.
Rptd info Paris 16 for GADel, Karachi 89.
Bowles