Monthly Report of the Indian Mission, Lhasa for Period Ending 15th March, 1950

SECRET

From – The Indian Trade Agent, Gyantse, & Officer in Charge, Indian Mission, Lhasa, P.O. Gyantse, Tibet.

To – The Political Officer in Sikkim, Gangtok.

Memorandum No. 3(7)-I/50.

Dated Lhasa, Tibet, the 16th March, 1950.

Monthly report of the Indian Mission, Lhasa for period ending 15th March, 1950.

I. EXTERNAL RELATIONS

A. Relations between Tibet and India

1. Letters from the Governor General and Prime Minister of India acknowledging letters and presents sent to them from the Dalai Lama and Regent of Tibet, through the Political Officer in Sikkim have been delivered by this Mission.

It is understood that the Dalai Lama, Regent and Kashag sent congratulatory messages to the Governor General, President Rajendra Prasad, and the Prime Minister on the 26th January and that replies have been sent direct by land line.

B. Relations between Tibet and China

It js learnt that Mr. Chu Shih Kuei the father-in-law of Yapshi Se Kisho Gyalo Tondup -- and elder brother of the Dalai Lama – has been appointed to the Ministry of Tibetan and Mongolian Affairs under the Communist regime. Gyalo Tondup has had some correspondence with his father-in-law in an effort to settle the Sino-Tibetan problems; and he wants to go to China with the Tibetan mission there. Mr. Chu is believed to have advised him that the Tibetan Government should be told not to send missions to the U.K. and the U.S.A. and that if a Tibetan mission is sent to Peking, Tibet's case will be favourably considered.

The Tibetan Mission to China are now on their way through India and so far as is known the decision that they should open negotiation with the Chinese Government from Hong Kong or Singapore still stands.

C. Relations between Tibet and Nepal

------NIL-----

D. Relations between Tibet and the U.K. and the U.S.A.

When I met some members of the proposed Tibetan Mission to the U.K. and the U.S.A. at Gyantse, they expressed great disappointment the refusal of those governments to accept a Tibetan mission. It appears to be thought that the decision of the U.S.A. Government was due to advice of the Government of the U.K.

II. Domestic Affairs

Recruiting of new regiments is in progress…. [this portion not transcribed]

The pay offered to new recruits is 30 sangs a month, about 20 seers of grain, and a further 45 sangs in lieu of butter, tea etc. 

Kheme Dzasa gave Col. Srinivasan details of some 8000 old troops and their distribution.

2. It is understood that Lhalu Shape vrill return from Kham this summer and that his place will be taken by an additional Shape to be appointed specially as Commissioner in Kham.

III. ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

------Nil-----

IV. PRESS

The foreign Press continues to pay some attention to Tibet.

V. PERSONAL AND SOCIAL

Professor Gokhale attended the New Year Reception at the Potala and paid the usual New Year calls on high officials.

I returned to Lhasa on March 5th and attended the concluding ceremonies of the Nam Lam.

*/_The Dalai Lama is said to be disappointed by the appointment of Trungyik Chhempo Ngawang Namgyal as Chikyap Khampo as the latter is one of the Regent's men and the Dalai Lama had hoped for more personal freedom if same one not connected with the old fashioned restrictive regime of the Regent had been appointed. There is naturally some rivalry between the Dalai Lama's court and that of the Regent; but the Dalai Lama appears to have the good sense not to encourage this.

VI. MISCELLANEOUS

------Nil-----

Sd/ - H.E. Richardson

Indian Trade Agent, Gyantse, and Officer in Charge, Indian Mission, Lhasa.

*/_ The Dalai Lama is having a cinema projection room made at Norbu Lingka and Herr Harrer is in charge of the construction.