793B.00/7–2651: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Secretary of State
538. Embtel 389, July 19, rptd New Delhi 10, Calcutta 4.1 At FonOff yesterday Embassy officer shown text of telegram dispatched by CRO to UK HC New Delhi expressing view that if Dalai Lama returns to Lhasa CPG will doubtless make maximum capital there-from but that this is a situation which GOI would no doubt accept rather than risk endangering good relations with CPG.…
In telegram dated July 23, UK HC replied along following lines: It seems clear Dalai Lama under increasing pressure yield to CPG and leave for Lhasa. Press reports he left Yatung for Lhasa July 22 after having seen head of CPG delegation. Understood Dalai Lama’s mother and family remaining Kalimpong. It seems nothing can be done for present.
[Page 1764]New Delhi please inform Calcutta.
Sent Department 538, repeated info New Delhi 16.
- Telegram 389 from London, not printed, reported that, in a discussion at the Foreign Office concerning the question of asylum for the Dalai Lama, Gifford had expressed doubt that a British approach to the Indian Government would be helpful at that time; the Foreign Office was so informing the Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi and giving the tentative view that the Dalai Lama should take the initiative in requesting asylum (793B.00/7–1951).↩