NEW DELHI, 24 February 1947

On February 24th, 1947, at 4.30 p.m. the High Commissioner
interviewed Mr. Nehru in accordance with Dr. Evatt's instructions.

The High Commissioner first of all thanked Mr. Nehru for granting
him an interview so readily and he also thanked him on behalf of
Dr. Evatt for his cordial messages of good will.

The High Commissioner pointed out the great interest aroused in
Australia by Mr. Attlee's statement of February 20th and instanced
that Sir Raghunath Paranjpye had issued an excellent statement to
the Australian press giving the Indian point of view. Following
Sir Raghunath's statement on the same day Dr. Evatt issued a
statement which was broadcast by the B. B. C. and had also been
sent to the Indian press and on 22nd February had been published
in the 'Hindu', Madras. In order that Mr. Nehru should be familiar
with the facts, the High Commissioner handed him copies of the
statements of Sir Raghunath Paranjpye and Dr. Evatt.

The High Commissioner stated that he had been instructed by Dr.

Evatt to deliver a personal and confidential message to Mr. Nehru
and the High Commissioner then delivered Dr. Evatt's message on
the lines suggested in cable No. 55.

Throughout the interview Mr. Nehru had not made any remarks on his
side but listened quietly to the High Commissioner. Mr. Nehru
asked was it particularly on account of Japan that Dr. Evatt
desired a conference between the two Governments. The High
Commissioner said he could not say what aspect of relations with
Japan Dr. Evatt had in mind but thought that it was Japan's
position of general influence in Asia which had prompted Dr.

Evatt's suggestion.

Mr. Nehru then asked the High Commissioner to inform Dr. Evatt
that he was very glad to receive the suggestion for a conference
and considered that such a conference would produce good results
in many directions, mentioning specifically defence, trade and
communications. As far as India was concerned, however, the
present was not a propitious time for a conference and he would
like to give the matter further consideration and to discuss it
with his colleagues. He pointed out that there was an Inter-Asian
Relations Conference to take place towards the end of March and at
that moment he was engaged upon the discussion of the Budget in
the Legislative Assembly. After these matters were completed there
was still the important business of the Constituent Assembly to be
proceeded with. He thought therefore that it would be a good thing
to allow the question to be thought over quietly for the present
and that if either side in the meantime conceived fresh ideas
these might be inter-communicated. He asked the High Commissioner
to thank Dr. Evatt for raising the matter and to say that he felt
that such discussions would be of great value. Mr. Nehru said that
after thinking the matter over further he would probably write to
Dr. Evatt himself.