Kashmir Dispute: U.S. Chargé in India to U.S. Secretary of State, January 28, 1948

845.00/1-2848 Telegram

The [US] Chargé in India (Donovan) to the [US] Secretary of State

TOP SECRET - NEW DELHI, January 28,1948-9 a.m.

        82. Embtel 81, January 27. Following substance conversation with Bajpai January 27 re Kashmir: GOI objects strongly to proposal [to] withdraw Indian troops since in their absence there will be no one to maintain law and order. If opposing troops withdrew, GOI would reduce number [of] its troops, but Bajpai at no time indicated GOI would consider withdrawal [of] all Indian troops from what GOI considers Indian territory.

        [The] GOI cannot repudiate Sheikh Abdullah.

        [The] GOI feels national government should be formed on basis [of] adult franchise and, after formation [of] this government, plebiscite should be held with UN assistance. GOI will abide [by] results [of] plebiscite.

        Russia has manifested no interest either at Delhi or Moscow in Kashmir.

        [The] GOI will under no circumstances consider partition of Kashmir as "we have already gone through one partition."

        Sent Department as 82, repeated Karachi 37. Department please repeat London 31.

        DONOVAN

From: US Department of State. Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948. Volume V, part 1. Washington DC: Government Printing Office, 1975, 290-291.