501.BC Kashmir/10-148: Telegram

The [US] Chargé in Pakistan (Lewis) to the [US] Secretary of State

CONFIDENTIAL - KARACHI, October 1, 1948-11 a.m.

        483. Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan, now on tour in northern Pakistan, has just sent me through Minister Foreign Affairs text telegram from Nehru dated September 27 " in which Nehru states that since India Pakistan Commission has confirmed presence Pakistan troops in Kashmir and Jammu, which confirms GOI's information, presence of Pakistan troops on Indian Union territory is "an act of aggression against Indian Union and can only lead to conflict." Nehru then says: "I must therefore ask you to withdraw these troops. You have expressed your desire to maintain and develop peaceful and cooperative relations with India. We entirely agree with this. We have absolutely no wish to interfere in any way with Pakistan. You will appreciate, however, that development of peaceful and cooperative relations cannot take place while army of Pakistan continues an act of aggression against India. Hence I would request you to take early steps to withdraw all Pakistan troops from Jammu and Kashmir state."

        Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan asked me to call to see him [on the] evening prior his departure September 25 for Lahore. [He] [t]old me he was very apprehensive [about] India with its easy conquest of Junagadh, Hyderabad and present position in Kashmir would very soon seek an excuse for waging war on Pakistan and that he apprehended presence [of] Pakistan troops [in] Kashmir would be utilized [for] that purpose although if necessary other reasons to justify aggression would be advanced. He expressed hope I would keep USG informed [of] any developments above direction and hoped USG along with other powers interested [in] suppression[,] aggression[,] and maintenance [of] peace in [the] world would take appropriate action [to] protect Pakistan from Indian aggression if latter should develop. Said he was "no fool" to attack India or to provoke an Indian attack but that if India did attack[,] Pakistan will resist with all its resources. Ghulam Mohammad, Minister of Finance, spoke to me along similar lines September 27 and Ikramullah, Secretary Minister Foreign Affairs, has likewise done so. None these officials have advanced threat that if we do not help Pakistan GOP will turn to Russia. Argument for outside help in protecting Pakistan based solely on right of nation to exist.

        Telegram from Nehru is precisely in line with pattern anticipated by this Embassy including Military Attaché and if Department is interested [in the] continued existence [of] Pakistan, as I believe it is for obvious reasons, I feel this is time for USG to intimate to GOI in terms which cannot be mistaken that an attack on Pakistan or an attempt to eject Pakistan troops from Kashmir territory while Kashmir dispute is still before Commission will be strongly opposed by USG.

        Sent Department 483, repeated Delhi 82,  pouched Lahore; Department pass London 34, Paris 1, Geneva, 1.

        LEWIS

From: US Department of State. Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948. Volume V, part 1. Washington DC: Government Printing Office, 1975, 414-415.