Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XIX, South Asia

187. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in India⁰

Washington, October 28, 1962, 3:01 p.m.

1687. Deptel 1677 to New Delhi,¹ rpt info London 2330, Karachi 677. There follows text of President’s reply to Nehru’s letter² delivered to White House by Ambassador Nehru on October 26. You are instructed transmit this letter to Prime Minister:³

“Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

“Your Ambassador handed me your letter last night. The occasion of it is a difficult and painful one for you and a sad one for the whole world. Yet there is a sense in which I welcome your letter, because it permits me to say to you what has been in my mind since the Chinese Communists have begun to press their aggressive attack into Indian territory. I know I can speak for my whole country, when I say that our sympathy in this situation is wholeheartedly with you. You have displayed an impressive degree of forbearance and patience in dealing with the Chinese. You have put into practice what all great religious teachers have urged and so few of their followers have been able to do. Alas, this teaching seems to be effective only when it is shared by both sides in a dispute.

“I want to give you support as well as sympathy. This is a practical matter and, if you wish, my Ambassador in New Delhi can discuss with you and the officials of your Government what we can do to translate our support into terms that are practically most useful to you as soon as possible.

“With all sympathy for India and warmest personal good wishes.

“Sincerely, John F. Kennedy”

Signed original being pouched.

Rusk

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 691.93/10-2862. Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Cameron, cleared by Kaysen, and approved by Talbot. Repeated to Karachi and London.
1. Document 182.
2. See footnote 2, Document 182.
3. Galbraith was instructed, in delivering the letter to Nehru, to tell him that President Kennedy believed that a letter from Nehru to Ayub would strengthen Kennedy’s hand in persuading Ayub to act in a helpful way during the crisis. (Telegram 1686 to New Delhi, October 28; Department of State, Central Files, 690D.91/10-2862)