Kashmir.

Could you deliver to Prime Minister Nehm following message as soon as possible. Matter is one of urgency as the Security Council is to meet tomorrow in New York on the above matter, begins.

General McNaughton has sent me a copy of the reply of your Government to the proposals handed to the representatives of India and Pakistan by him as President of the Security Council and which, it was thought, might provide a basis of settlement for the Kashmir dispute. General McNaughton is, of course, acting in this capacity for the Council and not as a representative of Canada, but I expressed to him, and I hope you will permit me to express to you, my disappointment that his proposals as they stand are not considered as satisfactory by your Government. I do not know yet what attitude the Government of Pakistan has taken to them. I think I can understand the Indian position on this issue, especially after your visit to Ottawa which we remember here with so much pleasure, but I am sorry that in a note which I assume is to be made public, the position is taken that as Pakistan is the aggressor in Kashmir, she cannot be regarded as being on a footing of equality with India. I am not, of course, quarrelling with your views on this aspect of the matter, but if their acceptance by Pakistan is required, this seems to me to make any agreed settlement through the United Nations practically impossible. I think that a case can be made for amendments to certain parts of the proposal, especially to those Dealing with demilitarization and demobilization, which would help to meet your point of view. Certainly General McNaughton never expected his proposal to be the last word on these questions. But if the position stated regarding the acknowledgment of Pakistan as the aggressor is maintained, I am afraid that little progress can be made on other aspects of the question.

I do not, of course, wish to interfere officially in this matter at all, or prejudice any position which the Indian Government may find it necessary to take, but I thought that I should give you my personal views, especially on the "aggressor" aspect of the question to which I have referred above. I feel sure you will not misunderstand my motives in doing so. Kindest personal regards. I am looking forward very much to seeing you shortly in Colombo. Ends.