751G.5/11–1951
The Ambassador in India (Henderson) to the Secretary of State
No. 1107
Ref: Department’s Airgram Control 1021, October 8, 1951, 4:10 p. m.1
Subject: General de Lattre’s Remarks on Indochina; Question of Approach to Government of India to Accord Recognition to Associated States.
In reference to the above-cited airgram, the French Embassy has informed this Embassy that General de Lattre’s remarks of September 13 and October 3 on Indochina were disseminated locally by means of an information release of the French Embassy. In view of this action on the part of the French Embassy, it appears unnecessary to draw the attention of the Indian Government specifically to the remarks of General de Lattre.
The Department is aware that the Government of India is not disposed to grant recognition to the Associated States, but professes to continue to regard them as nothing more than puppet appendages of France. This Indian attitude toward the Associated States was most recently revealed in the negotiations between the United States and India relating to the signing of the Japanese Peace Treaty, when India called for exclusion of the Associated States from the San Francisco Conference. The Embassy has not observed any change in the official Indian attitude since that time. Indeed, in his recent foreign policy utterances, while not referring specifically to Indochina, Prime Minister Nehru has indicated clearly that there has been no fundamental change in Indian foreign policy. The Embassy accordingly considers that an approach to the Indian Government to reverse its policy would be unproductive at this time. The Embassy will watch future developments carefully, however, in the hope that a suitable opportunity may arise to press for a change of the Indian position.
Counselor of Embassy (Political)
- This circular airgram, transmitted to U.S. Embassies in six Asian countries, requested each Ambassador to report on the advisability of another approach to the government to which he was accredited regarding possible diplomatic recognition of the Associated States (751G.5/10–851).↩