396.1 GE/5–2254: Telegram
The United States Delegation to the Department of State
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Dulte 96. Eyes only Secretary. I think it very likely that we will be confronted with the proposal that India participate in this conference, and in view of future possibilities it is a proposal which it will be difficult for us to resist. However, this will raise very serious questions. For instance, we should not accept India without alternatively proposing the Philippines and Thailand who have already indicated their willingness to join the Southeast Asian Pact. Our thinking at the moment is that if and when a proposal for Indian participation is made, we might accept but propose also the inclusion of these two other nations who are on our side. There is a chance that this would open up a whole Pandora’s box. The question is one on which I urgently need your guidance because Menon’s visit here may bring up the matter.1