Kashmir Dispute: U.S. Charg  in India to U.S. Secretary of State, December 24, 1947

745.45F/12-2447  Telegram

The [US] Charg  in India (Donovan) to the [US] Secretary of State

SECRET - NEW DELHI, December 24,1947-1 p.m.

        1151.  I saw Bajpai today at his request. He showed me [the] copy of [a] note from [the] GOI to [the] GOP delivered December 22. After listing [to] various forms of assistance [the] GOI alleges [the] GOP is giving raiders, [the] GOI requested [the] GOP "to deny to invaders all access to and use of Pakistan territory for operation against Kashmir, all military and other supplies, and all other kinds of aid which might tend to prolong the present struggle".

         [The] GOI stresses its desire to live on terms of friendship with Pakistan and expresses hope that [the] GOP will "accede promptly and without reserve" to foregoing request.

         [The] Note ends by saying that "failing such response, [the] GOI will be compelled to take such action, with due regard to its rights and obligations as a member of UN, as it may consider necessary to protect its own interests, and those of the people of Jammu and Kashmir".

         Bajpai said he saw very little hope of agreement between [the] GOI and GOP on [the] Kashmir question and that unless favorable reply to note was received within a week, [the] GOI would present [the] matter to [the] Security Council. He feels [the] question is practically certain to go to [the] UN and said [the] GOI will not permit adjudication by UK or [a] member [of the] British Commonwealth.

        He has given similar information to [the] French Ambassador and UK High Commissioner, but has not decided whether to inform [the] Australian High Commissioner.

         Bajpai admitted [the] GOP might not be able to stop all assistance raiders but stressed that [the] GOP had done absolutely nothing to check [the] activities of raiders.

        Sent Department 1151; repeated Karachi as 99. Department please repeat London.

        DONOVAN

From: US Department of State.  Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947.  Volume III.  Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1972, 183-184.