Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Asia and the Pacific, Volume VI, Part 1

690.941/9–351: Telegram

The Ambassador in India (Henderson) to the Secretary of State

secret
priority

New Delhi, September 3, 1951—3 p. m.

825. 1. Told Bajpai this morning Dept had seen press reports from Delhi indicating Asian countries including GOI may hold Jap conference their own following US sponsored conference in San Francisco and had queried Emb (Embtel 823, September 2).¹ I asked whether GOI was planning attend such Asian conference and whether it had discussed or was discussing matter with other Asian countries.

2. Bajpai said in confidence when Burmese Foreign Minister² visited Delhi several weeks ago latter had suggested conference of India, Burma and Indo to discuss Jap treaty before San Francisco conference. Nehru had discouraged idea pointing out he unwilling have such conference in India since he did not wish US Govt obtain impression? he was encouraging other Asian States not to sign treaty and in view pressing problems facing him he cld not leave India attend such conference. Nehru had indicated that if any conference shld take place to discuss treaty relations with Japan it shld not be until after San Francisco conference. Bajpai maintained GOI had not further discussed matter of conference after San Francisco with either Burma or Indo. He added he did not believe conference wld serve any useful purpose since India had already made clear type of treaty which it intended to sign, that is simple peace treaty without political clauses or conditions. Bajpai did not however promise such conference wld not be held.

3. Bajpai told me he wld not report our conversation to Nehru since he extremely anxious just now not pour oil troubled waters. He was afraid Nehru wld take exception in his present temper to inquiry this kind from US.

4. I believe Bajpai sincere in statements. Nevertheless not impossible in my opinion Nehru may be playing with idea encouraging calling such conference in order strengthen his influence over Indonesia and Burma and strengthen his future position with extreme nationalistic and socialistic anti-American elements in Japan. It is also my opinion that any kind appeal to PriMin on our part not to participate in or hold such conference wld serve no useful purpose.

5. If in spite my conversation Bajpai and my own opinion expressed above Dept wld like me approach PriMin following his return from Kashmir along lines Deptel 498, August 31 I shall make such approach on receipt appropriate instructions.³

Henderson

1. See footnote 2, p. 1312.
2. Sao Hkun Hkio.

3. No such instruction has been found in Department of State files.

   For additional documentation on the effect of India’s position on the Japanese Peace Treaty on Indian-U.S. relations, see pp. 2085 ff., especially Ambassador Henderson’s telegram 1026 of September 17, p. 2182.