690D.91/12–151: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Bowles) to the Secretary of State
1940. Bajpai volunteered info to Steere yesterday that GOI, in response to indication from Graham that he thought India shld make reduction in forces 28,000 men (including armor) which India considered necessary be kept in Kashmir, had instructed Rau to indicate GOI wld give up armored support and reduce forces to 21,000. GOI hoped this wld enable further progress Paris discussions and be accepted as evidence India’s desire facilitate agreement. He then referred PriMin’s recent indication that complete withdrawal Indian armed forces was possible once conditions permitted. He mentioned “90 days” rather vaguely in this connection with implication it depended upon Pak attitude.
Bajpai said he cld not venture forecast whether Graham wld succeed in time allotted him but he thought it not impossible. Said plebiscite questions shld offer no great difficulty once demilitarization agreed. He referred to difficulty carrying on such discussion in Paris when decisions by govts all had to be taken this end.
Rptd info Paris Gadel 40.