Indian Opinion More Favourable Now To The Commonwealth

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 October 1948, Page 5

Indian Opinion More Favourable Now To The Commonwealth

LONDON, Oct. 28 (Rec. 6pm).— Summing up Indian reactions to the Common wealth Prime Ministers' discussions in London, “The Times” New Delhi correspondent says:

“It is apparent that there has been a change of front by Indian critics, who, before the London conference opened, were asserting vehemently that India had no alternative consist-ent-with her desire to be a ‘sovereign independent republic’ out to leave the Commonwealth. These same critics now realise that Britain and the older Dominions are ready and willing to make such adjustments as would enable the three Asian countries (India. Pakistan and Ceylon) to reconcile their newly-found nationhood with membership of the Commonwealth.”

“It is generally felt,” “The Times” correspondent, says, “that the next move is up to the Indian Constituent Assembly, which meets again early

next month to consider a draft constitution. Several Indian newspapers hint, that in the light of the London discussions the Assembly will have to decide whether the goal of a republic is a genuine demand calling for immediate attainment, or whether it was adopted at a time when feeling against Britain was not sufficiently balanced and can, therefore, be kept in abeyance.

“But this is not to say that prevailing Indian sentiment is any different on the need for India to assert her complete independence, if necessary by breaking her link with the British Crown-

“It merely means,” the correspondent adds, “that Indian political commentators now appreciate better how irrevocable a step secession from the Commonwealth must necessarily be, and are therefore less forthright in demanding it.”