795.00/6–551: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Henderson) to the Secretary of State
3516. 1. During talk June 5 Bajpai said he had noticed press rumors possibility of new peace offers to Chinese. He thought new peace offer to Peiping just now wld be ill-timed and might make possibility cease-fire even more remote than it was at present.
2. GOI had recently asked Panikkar explore and report whether his opinion peace move wld be opportune. Panikkar had replied negative. Said Peiping’s attitude towards recent mil developments Korea quite different from the past. Chi Commies insist mil situation in Korea satisfactory and developing steadily their favor. Therefore, no desire [Page 507] for peace for mil reasons. Panikkar said area disagreement between Commie Chi and US had also considerably widened. Peiping now placing more emphasis on Jap issue than on Korea. Commie Chi regarded US proposals for Jap treaty as in fact US-Jap mil alliance against Chi. Peiping therefore wld insist that any settlement Korea must include arrangements re Jap agreeable to it. Since US apparently had also stiffened and was not willing at present to discuss with Commie Chi in connection with cease-fire any problem other than Korea there seemed little to be gained just now at least from internatl point of view from new peace offers.