693.93B/12–351: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Bowles) to the Secretary of State
1955. Embtel 1745, Nov 15, rptd London 61 and Calcutta 159.1 In further discussions with Haksar2 on Tibet, today, he stated according GOI info there presently between 10 and 20,000 Chi Commie troops in Tibet and they now deploying strategic places throughout country. He said GOI had received repeated Chi Commie assurances of respect for present boundary and Commies in fact, observing frontiers scrupulously thus far. He justified entry and deployment Chi Commie forces on grounds they needed restore peace and order which Tibetans themselves unable accomplish.
In response query re status and future GOI “escort” forces now Gyantse and Yatung to protect trade routes to India, Haksar said these forces still there and Chi had not requested their withdrawal. But he indicated GOI forces wld have no legal basis for remaining Tibet once Chi Commies show capacity maintain order; and he plainly indicated GOI is prepared remove these forces if and when issue brought up by Chinese.
Sent Dept 1955, rptd info London 64, Calcutta 175.
- Telegram 1745 from New Delhi, not printed, reported that Haksar told Embassy officers that the Indian Government had received information from Lhasa confirming that the Dalai Lama had approved the Sino-Tibetan Agreement (693.936/11–1551).↩
- S. N. Haksar, Joint Secretary and Controller General of Emigration in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.↩