Aide-Memoire NEW DELHI, 27 January 1949
I have the honour to enclose an Aide-Memoire containing
suggestions for future
cooperation between the countries represented at the recent
Conference on Indonesia [1], which were discussed at an informal
meeting called by the Prime Minister of India on the 24th January.

It will be appreciated if the comments of your Excellency's
Government on the proposals contained in the Aide-Memoire can be
communicated to the Government of India by the end of February,
1949.

2. A communication in similar terms is being addressed separately
to the Representatives of Afghanistan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran,
Iraq, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen.

Accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration.

Aide-Memoire

The third resolution adopted by the Conference on Indonesia, which
was recently held in New Delhi, expressed the opinion that
'Participating Governments should consult among themselves in
order to explore ways and means of establishing suitable
machinery, having regard to the areas concerned, for promoting
consultation and cooperation within the framework of the United
Nations.' In order to expedite consideration of this suggestion,
the Prime Minister, Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, invited the following
[2] to an informal discussion on the 24th January.

[matter omitted]

Since the delegates to the Conference of Australia, Burma and the
Philippines, and the New Zealand observer, had already left, they
could not be asked to the meeting.

It was agreed that the suggestions noted below be communicated to
the Governments whose representatives attended the Conference:

(1) The collection and dissemination of information about one
another, so that the peoples of Asia should get mutually better
acquainted. At present the intelligentsia of Asia know more about
Europe than about the countries of Asia.

(2) Exchange, through normal diplomatic channels, of information
and views regarding regional or international problems of interest
to one or more countries of Asia.

(3) Maintenance of close contact, at the headquarters of the
United Nations, between the Permanent Delegates of Asian
countries.

(4) Free and frank consultation among representatives of such
countries during sessions (a) of the United Nations General
Assembly, and (b) of the Specialised Agencies of the United
Nations.

(5) Periodical meetings of representatives of the Governments of
these countries, preferably in rotation in their respective
capitals, to discuss matters of common interest. Since democratic
Governments depend for the support of their policies on the will
of their peoples, every effort should be made to associate, with
delegations to such conferences, representatives of popular groups
or institutions which are in a position to influence public
opinion.

(6) Encouragement, on a cultural plane, of meetings of the
character referred in (5), supplemented by facilities for the
exchange of teachers, technicians and students.

(7) Formation, in each country, of national committees for
instructing the people in and enlisting their active support for
promoting better understanding and closer cooperation among Asian
peoples.

2. The Government of India hope that the Government of Australia,
Burma,

Ceylon, China, New Zealand, Philippines, Siam will be able to give
earnest attention to these suggestions and favour them with their
views, if possible by the end of February. The suggestions are
tentative and do not claim to be exhaustive. Any additions or
modifications which the Government of Australia, Burma, Ceylon,
China, New Zealand, Philippines, Siam may wish to offer would
receive the most careful examination.

3. The intention of the Government of India is that, on receipt of
the views of all the Governments concerned, there should be an
informal meeting in New Delhi of their diplomatic representatives.

Countries which do not maintain such representatives in New Delhi
would, of course, be welcome to depute anyone they wish to
participate in the discussion of the replies of the Governments
consulted. As a result of this further consultation in New Delhi,
it is hoped that definite proposals for the implementation of
Resolution III of the recent Indonesian Conference will be
formulated.

4. Apart from the suggestions set out in para. 1, the Government
of India would welcome the views of the Government of Australia,
Burma, Ceylon, China, New Zealand, Philippines, Siam on the
following points:

(1) The geographical region, and the countries situate within it,
which should be included in the scope of the proposed consultation
on matters of common interest;

(2) Whether the creation of machinery for consultation should
depend upon the agreement of all the Government consulted, or a
beginning be made provided that a substantial number of
governments agree to such an arrangement;

(3) The structure and functions of the proposed machinery.

5. In order to keep all the Governments now being addressed
informed of the replies received from individual governments, the
Government of India proposes to circulate these replies through
normal diplomatic channels as they are received.