New developments were seen here today indicating that the United States may be turning to India to form a new partnership for a possible solution of the Middle East crisis.
Members of the American delegation are spreading information that when Indias Prime Minister Nehru visits President Eisenhower, the latter may be ready to work with him toward a Middle East settlement. Such an arrangement may replace the old tripartite coalition of the United States, Britain and France.
In this light, careful attention was paid here today to the statement made before the General Assembly earlier this month by India’s V.K. Krishna Menon. For the first time the Indian representative here came out clearly with a statement declaring that his country recognizes the State of Israel.
While Ambassador Menon’s work here in the last three weeks has been enthusiastically pro-Egyptian and while New Delhi’s roving foreign policy chief was the Assembly’s flock manager for the tough anti-Israel resolution that was passed by the Assembly, Menon–to the surprise of many observers–did make the following categorical statement.
“The Government of India recognizes the State of Israel and the Government of Israel. We have no quarrels with them. We desire to remain in friendly relations with them as with everybody else. Our position (on Israel-Arab questions in the General Assembly) are no the same as that of the Arab countries, and we do not hesitate to say so irrespective on whatever emotions are aroused.”
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