751H.02/11–654: Telegram
The Ambassador in India (Allen) to the Department of State
598. Repeated information Saigon 22, Paris 21, London 74. Saigon pass Phnom Penh 7, Vientiane 6. In talk with Pillai today I expressed [Page 2217] pleasure at GOI decision to recognize Cambodia. He said GOI was slightly annoyed by premature publicity but confirmed intention to extend recognition although timing had not been decided.
Pillai said GOI had originally intended merely to establish Consulates in Saigon, Phnom Penh, Vientiane and Hanoi and to accord no diplomatic recognition to any Indochinese state until after elections. However, when Nehru reached Phnom Penh, both British and American representative there had urged him to extend recognition and Crown Prince had “pled hard for it”. Since Nehru could see with his own eyes that French no longer ruled Cambodia and Government seemed in control, he could find no reasonable excuse for further delay.
Pillai added that Nehru had been “emotionally affected” by evidences he saw at Ankorwat and elsewhere of Indian cultural influences. Pillai admitted that this factor might have been final consideration which persuaded Nehru.
Pillai said Laos was more difficult question since complications existed over two provinces. I gained impression that GOI might consider Laos recognition again when situation had clarified. Pillai said he did not believe there would be any consideration of recognizing Vietnam until after elections.
Comment: Nehru’s personal visit to Indo-China seems to have swung him over to theory that historic Indian cultural sphere embraces Cambodia and Laos.