689.90D/10–152: Telegram

The Ambassador in India ( Bowles ) to the Department of State 1

secret

1398. In conversation with Emb officer yesterday afternoon, Acting Foreign Secy R. K. Nehru stated GOI is deeply concerned re recent Sov démarche to Afghan Govt, asserting it GOI policy to foster strong and indep Afghan in basic interest of Ind security, which no less than that entertained by Brit when they controlled Ind. Nehru said Pak policy of blocking ingress to Afghan had compelled latter to enter into closer econ and polit ties with USSR, a development inimical to the democracies and definitely contrary to Ind’s desires. He therefore considered it in interests of Pak, Ind and Western democracies to persuade Pak to grant unrestricted transit facilities into Afghan. In this connection he observed Pak should be urged to observe terms of “Barcelonan Conv.”2 When Emb officer raised Pushtoonistan question and suggested GOA should be urged to cease using this issue against Pak, Nehru defended Afghan position, asserting these tribes-people never tamed, not even by Brit, and what GOA sought for tribespeople from Pak was their cultural autonomy. Pak, he said, on other hand, wanted GOA to eat humble pie renouncing all interest in tribespeople, something GOA could hardly do. Altho Emb officer pressed point repeatedly Nehru indicated GOI supported GOA position re Pushtoonistan issue and unwilling suggest GOA drop propaganda and other activities.

It seems to Emb Sov action offers good opportunity explore possibility of bringing about better relations between Afghan and Pak. I am seeing PriMin 3 later today and hope to find opportunity discuss matter with him.

Bowles
  1. This telegram was repeated for information to Karachi, Kabul; and Moscow.
  2. The Barcelona Convention of 1921 provided for the internationalization of navigable waterways that separate or traverse different states. (Whiteman, Digest of International Law, III, 879–880)
  3. Jawaharlal Nehru.