Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, South Asia, Volume VIII

182. Letter From the Ambassador in India (Bunker) to the President¹

New Delhi, November 15, 1957.

Dear Mr. President: I am taking the liberty of writing you personally because I understand that the question of the nature and the amount of the assistance to be extended to India will be shortly before you for consideration and decision. I do this only because I think the matter is of the utmost importance.

I have attempted to appraise the situation here as objectively as possible, and I believe that we have come to a moment in history when it is within our power significantly to influence the choice that a great part of the world’s population will make between the democratic and totalitarian way of life. If through adequate long term credits India can be reasonably assured of a rate of economic progress under democratic institutions which will, in part at least, meet the expectations of her people, I think her choice of such democratic institutions will be vindicated and that her continuance as a stable democratic country will follow. I believe also that if this takes place in India the rest of uncommitted Asia will follow her example. I am satisfied that India is a good risk and that the money will come back to us with interest.

It is not often that such an opportunity is presented to a nation. If we meet it courageously and generously, I am sure that we and future generations will be greatly rewarded. We have only to consider what our failure to act decisively and in time in the case of China has cost us in treasure and in lives, and what we would be willing to spend to reverse the process there, to find the answer to what we ought to do in India. We differ with India, of course, on many points of foreign policy, but it seems to me that these are not significant when viewed in the context of our overall objectives and our grand strategy in this part of the world.

Should your decision be in the affirmative and should you wish it, I shall be glad to return to assist in the presentation of the case to Congress.²

With respect and warm personal regards.

Sincerely yours,

Ellsworth Bunker³

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 791.5–MSP/11–1957. Sent as an enclosure to a letter from Bunker to Dulles dated November 19 in which Bunker expressed his “hope that you will think the letter useful, and that it will have your approval.”
2. Herter wrote to Bunker on December 12 to indicate that Dulles had appreciated receiving the letter of November 15 and the covering letter. The Under Secretary said that he shared the Secretary’s view “that it was an effective and useful presentation of the vital importance of India to our economic and political objectives in Asia.” (Ibid., 791.5–MSP/12–1257) The President replied on December 13 that he hoped “that our decision to give India increased aid under presently authorized funds will help in that country’s vital experiment and perhaps also give encouragement to other countries in the region.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, International File)
3. Printed from a copy which bears this typed signature.