PROFOUND IMPRESSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27213, 17 October 1949, Page 5

PROFOUND IMPRESSION

Mr Nehru In Washington Historic East-West Meeting N ZP A—C opyright Rec. 11 p.m. WASHINGTON, Oct. 15. The Prime Minister of India, Pandit Nehru, left behind him in Washington to-day the profound impi’ession in both Government and Congressional circles that one-of the most historic meetings between East and West had taken place. Both public and private reactions suggest that no visit since the war-time appearances of Mr Churchill has left such an impression. Washington is studying the statements'made by Mr Nehru both publicly and privately with a view to a detailed formulation of United States policy towards India. His public statement that India would not remain neutral in the event of any threat to freedom or justice was not interpreted to mean that India would be the automatic ally of the United States in the cold war againfet Russia, but that India's role in world affairs would pot be a passive one.

Although Mr Nehru set aside'as premature the suggestions for a pact of the Asian nations comparable to the Atlantic Treaty, he created an atmosphere in which Indian officials will be able to discuss such proposals with American officials in greater intimacy and backed by closer understanding of each other’s general point of view.