690D.91/8–1053: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Allen) to the Department of State1
278. As Department aware, numerous articles have appeared in India press during recent weeks alleging US interference in Kashmir. These reports claim Americans have encouraged Sheikh Abdullah to support independence and to count on US economic aid.
I have not felt it desirable to dignify these allegations with any public statement until today. However, new Kashmir Prime Minister [Page 1326] Bakshi in his first public statement yesterday justified dismissal of Abdullah on grounds that “an independent Kashmir under the influence of an imperialist power will be a grave threat to the freedom and independence of the Indian and Pakistan people”. That US is “imperialist power” intended is beyond question. Consequently, some statement by Embassy has become imperative and I am releasing following to press today: “I have had several inquiries concerning recent allegations of American interference in Kashmir.
“I wish to state unequivocally that such allegations are entirely false. The sole interest of the United States in Kashmir is the sincere hope that the problem of its status will be solved on a basis mutually acceptable to the two countries directly concerned, India and Pakistan.”
- This telegram was repeated for information to Karachi.↩