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TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.

It is requested that special care,may be taken to ansure the secrecy of this document.

се

(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT

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SECRET.

C.O.S. (41) 692.

19th NOVEMBER 1941.

WAR

33

COPY NO

Zax.)

Batch47.

pis document was considered at 695 Meeti

CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

SUPPLY ROUTE TO RUSSIA THROUGH AFGHANISTAN.

(Reference C.0.S.(41) 369th Meeting Minute 1)

Note by the India Office.

The question of developing supply routes to Russia through Afghanistan was raised with the Government of India. in August last. They then strongly opposed the proposal and stated that strategically they considered that the development of these routes could not be undertaken in the near future without imperilling, directly or indirectly, the defence of India, while as casual routes they would be worthless.

In

In telegram No. 13976 dated 4th November (Annex I) the Government of India were asked to reconsider this question. their reply No. 6271 of the 9th November (Annex II) they have again strongly opposed the project, alike on geographical,

They quote the recent political and strategical grounds. resolution of the Loe Jirga opposing any development of lines of communication through Afghanistan and they also point out that they are unable to meet the inevitable Afghan demand for lorrie They further express the view that, even if eventual developmer of supply routes is to be kept in view, it should not be attempted until the elimination of the Axis Legations at Kabul has been dealt with.

The view of the India Office is that while there can be n question of making any demand on the Afghan Government in regard to this matter, especially in view of His Majesty's Government's recent assurance to them on the subject, and while development by British agencies would probably in any case be impossible under present conditions, the Afghans might perhaps be persuaded themselves to develop supply routes to Russia, if they were convinced there was money in it, although the capacity of the routes under such arrangements is not likely to be very great. It is essential, however, to exercise great caution in approaching this delicate subject, and the best method might be to do so gradually under cover of stimulating Indo-Afghan and Russo-Afghan trade, and providing an outlet for surplus Afghan products, such as wool, cotton and dried fruit.

It is, therefore, considered that, in view of the strong objections of the Government of India and of the importance, in existing circumstances, of doing nothing to disturb our relations with the Afghan Government, the question should be deferred for reconsideration at a later date in the light of future developments.

view.

The War Office and also the Foreign Office agree with this

A draft telegram to the Government of India is attached as Annex III,

India Office S. W. 1.

18th OVERSAW, 1941.

ar 1 -

அறி

(Signed) S. MUSPRATT

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