793B.00/11–2651: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Bowles) to the Secretary of State
1872. Re Embtel 1533, October 30. MEA FonSec Menon informed Steere he had written Dayal Ind pol officer Gangtok re question asylum and had reply dated November 20 from which he supplied fol extract:
[Here follows the text of the extract.]
Based on foregoing info and previous convs with Ind officials Emb believes that following Chi Commie invasion Tib October 50 GOI may have been willing accord DL asylum. However, it now seems apparent that GOI has taken no step in recent months to make known its attitude to Tibet in clear terms. For example, in July during critical; days preceding DL’s decision return Lhasa, Dayal informed Shakabpa he had no instructions from GOI re asylum (Embtel 61, July 19).1 Perhaps GOI later sent Dayal instructions. Emb believes however they were so worded that Ind rep felt unable take initiative in making Ind attitude known to Tib. Dayal’s remarks in letter re repudiation and asylum seem support this conclusion.
Ind reps Yatung and Lhasa have probably taken no action for same reason.
With respect Dayal’s indication GOI had informed CPG re asylum GOI may have spoken along these lines immed fol Chi Commie invasion Tib in effort help Tib and delay Chi Commies. It seems unlikely, however, Panikkar reiterated Ind view fol conclusions Sino-Tib agreement last May. In any event, even if Tibs were aware of this report they probably discounted it in view generally negative character Ind policy toward Tib especially Ind silence re asylum.
Sent Dept 1872, rptd Calcutta 167.