28101947 Text of Telegram dated October 28, 1947 from Nehru to Liaquat Ali Khan

28101947 Text of Telegram dated October 28, 1947 from Nehru to Liaquat Ali Khan

"For Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan from Jawaharlal Nehru.

I have communicated to you the text of a telegram I sent to the Prime Minister, United Kingdom, regarding the Kashmir situation. I have also sent you a text of correspondence between the Governor-General, India, and Maharaja of Kashmir regarding accession of Kashmir State to Indian Union. I have sent a further message to the Prime Minister, U.K., informing him of the imminent peril of Srinagar and Kashmir from raiders and of action we have taken to give protection to people there. I want to invite your Government's cooperation in stopping the raiders entering Kashmir territory from Pakistan. These raids have already resulted in large-scale death and destruction and if they are not stopped immediately will lead to the ruin of Kashmir. The consequences of the success of such irresponsible raiders anywhere will be far-reaching all over India. Therefore, in the interests of booth Pakistan and India, such raids must be stopped. As raiders come across Pakistan territory, it should be possible to stop them there. I wish to assure you that the action Government of India has taken has been forced upon them by circumstances and imminent and grave danger to Srinagar. They have no desire to intervene in affairs of Kashmir State after raiders have been driven away and law and order established. In regard to accession, it has been made clear that this is subject to reference to the people of the State and their decision. The Government of India has no desire to impose any decision and will abide by people's wishes, but those cannot be ascertained till peace and Jaw and order prevail. Protection of Kashmir from armed raids thus becomes the first objective and in this we trust we shall have your cooperation."