At the second meeting of the Prime Ministers held today, Monday,
several drafts were circulated all of them in the general form of
a declaration by India accepting the King as a symbol of the free
association of the independent members of the Commonwealth and the
acceptance by the other members of the British Commonwealth of
India as a member in accordance with this declaration.

2. Consideration of the drafts involving the use of the term 'Head
of the Commonwealth' etc. started discussions on subjects not
previously raised. The meeting was inconclusive, another session
being called for tonight.

3. While Australia and New Zealand have insisted on a clear
statement of the fact that the change in India's status does not
imply any change for the rest of the members of the British
Commonwealth, Pakistan, Ceylon and South Africa and in some degree
Canada, oppose this. They do not wish to make any statement which
seems to commit them in the eyes of their people to a continuing
status and wish to imply that if India is allowed to remain in the
British Commonwealth on the basis of the above declaration they
should equally be allowed to do so without further consideration
of their case if they were to make similar constitutional changes.

4. It is possible that the result will be a general statement of
the position as it exists now for all members including India, the
fact that India has chosen a Republican constitution but wishes to
remain within the British Commonwealth, and is prepared to make a
declaration along the lines of the above, and the willingness of
the other members of the British Commonwealth to include India on
this basis.

5. The position will be clearer after the meeting tonight.