Our telegram No. 2239, December 16th, 1948,⁷ relations between India and the Commonwealth. We asked the Commonwealth Relations Office today for informa­tion regarding developments since Mr. Attlee sent the telegram on December 15th to Nehru.

2. There has been no reply from Nehru. In the course of conversations between the Commonwealth Relations Office and [V.K. Krishna] Menon (High Commis­sioner for India in London) the Commonwealth Relations Office reminded Menon that there has been no reply from Nehru. Menon showed no disposition to press Nehru for a reply and the United Kingdom Government does not feel that it would be wise for the United Kingdom to press Nehru. However, the long delay in getting a reply from Nehru does not bode well for a favourable reply.

3. Menon, speaking only for himself, hinted that it must be membership in the Commonwealth or nothing. He did not think that India would like the idea of an association with the Commonwealth which did not constitute membership.

4. Menon put forward, as his own personal suggestion, the idea that a link with the Crown would be implied if provisions for Commonwealth citizenship were inserted in the Indian Constitution. The Commonwealth Relations Office does not think much of this argument.

5. The United Kingdom High Commissioner in India has no special instructions to remind Nehru that Mr. Attlee is waiting for a reply to the message of December 15th.⁸ However, as Kearney said in his telegram to you of December 31st†Nye expects to see Nehru this month and no doubt he will take the opportunity to dis­cuss the whole question.

6. The Commonwealth Relations Office is not happy about Nehru's delay in replying but feels that to press him for a reply might prejudice the chances of get­ting a reply that offered any possibilities for agreement.

7. The Commonwealth Relations Office thinks that there is a possibility that the Constituent Assembly may adjourn in January and February for some weeks before adopting the draft constitution.

8. I shall, of course, continue to keep in touch with the Commonwealth Relations Office on this subject. Ends.

⁷Volume 14, Document 883.

⁸Texte cité au volume 14, document 883. Text quoted in Volume 14, Document 883.