CAB129-78 — Page 255

Following is the text of a message to the Prime Minister from Mr. Nehru sent to the Prime Minister under cover of a letter dated 3rd December from the Indian High Commissioner in London. Begins.

"As you know, we have been much concerned at the conclusion of military alliances in the Middle East Region which led to the recent meeting in Baghdad. We spoke to your High Commissioner here on this subject and he told us that he would communicate our views to the United Kingdom Government. Later, he gave me their reply which was to the effect that these were mere defensive alliances and that the United Kingdom Goverment were much concerned at the intrusion of the Soviet Union into Middle East politics. It was to check this interference and prevent undesirable developments that this alliance was concluded.

2.

I have given much thought to this matter and tried to understand the reasons for the Baghdad Pact which were communicated to us, as well as the possible consequences both from the wider point of view of peace in the Middle East and the world and in so far as India is affected. I cannot presume to challenge the right of the United Kingdom or of Pakistan to enter into any kind of military alliance. But because of our Commonwealth relationship and our earnest desire to promote mutual understanding and co-operation with the United Kingdom, my colleagues and I have felt greatly disturbed. at this new development and I feel that I should put our view point before you.

3. You know our general views in regard to military pacts and alliances in the present context. Such alliances may have had some justification in the past, but I feel, in the present circumstances and, more especially, in Asia, such alliances, far from ensuring peace and security or even strengthening defence, have a disruptive effect and lead to counter moves and thus add to the existing fear and tension. When the formation of SEATO was considered, we endeavoured to make our position clear in regard to it. The Middle East Pact affects us even more intimately. Ever since the system of alliance in the Middle East culminating in the Baghdad Pact, has been discussed one of the effects has been to break up Arab unity, and some Arab countries have opposed these alliances. In fact, it is probable that this development itself led to some counter moves by the Soviet Union and its allied countries. Thus, in the Middle East, far greater tension has resulted and security has been threatened, Such military alliances are almost invitations to the Soviet Union to take counter steps. In the result the position progressively deteriorates.

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I would invite your attention to the statement issued by the Bandung Conference on military parts. All the countries represented at Bandung associated themselves with that statement.

5. I have no doubt that the United Kingdom Government considers this as a defensive alliance. But whatever it may be called, the effect is the same and, in the eyes of some, it will no doubt be considered as an aggressive challenge. It will come in the way of the development of an atmosphere of peace and a settlement of the major problem, which you have so much at heart.

6.

India is particularly affected by this because, unfortunately, our relations with Pakistan are not as friendly and co-operative as I should like them to be. On our part, we have tried our best to cultivate friendly relations with Pakistan, and indeed, the position has greatly improved in so far as popular feeling in

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