690D.91/3–2453

Memorandum by the Secretary of State to the President1

top secret

Kashmir

The Kashmir situation is becoming increasingly acute and war between India and Pakistan is a not remote possibility. The UN effort has bogged down. Would you think that Paul Hoffman might go on a private mission to explore confidentially the attitude of the two parties to some partition of Kashmir? It would seem that such a project might be acceptable and it is the only solution which now seems to have practicable possibilities.

John Foster Dulles
  1. Drafted by Secretary Dulles.