The Reminiscences of Zafrulla Khan — Page 188
172 REMINISCENCES OF SIR MUHAMMAD ZAFRULLA KHAN The later stages are details of the Kashmir dispute. That is the one big issue which has all through the years, right up till now, divided these two neighbouring countries who otherwise have many fields in which they can usefully and fruitfully co-operate, not only in the general international interest but also in their own interests. Question : Is this what Krishna Menon is referring to when he says now that India never agreed to a plebiscite? Is he referring back to this particular discussion ? Khan : No, as a matter of fact when he says that India never agreed to a plebiscite, he knows that he's not telling the truth. Later, under this resolution, which I said was greatly watered-down, a commission was set up and they went over to the subcontinent and travelled backwards and forwards between Karachi and New Delhi and finally they obtained the agreement of both governments to two resolutions which they had proposed, one dated the 13th of August, 1948, and the other, the 5th of January, 1949. Those resolutions fairly and squarely proposed a plebiscite for the the purpose of ascertaining the wishes of the people of the State and laid down the conditions under which its fairness and impartiality could be insured. Mr. Krishna Menon knows he is not speaking the truth in saying that the Indian Government had never agreed to a plebiscite. As a matter of fact, during the last debates here, he went so far as to say, "My Prime Minister has never used the expression plebiscite in connection with Kashmir. " In reply to him I was able to cite a dozen public announcements by his Prime Minister where he had used the expression plebiscite in connection with Kashmir. Mr. Krishna Menon just goes on saying whatever he feels would suit his case. Then, soon thereafter, in addition to Kashmir, we had another major dispute with India which arose out of the diversion by India of the waters of three Punjab rivers, which denied Pakistan its existing uses. That created a major problem. This question has fortunately now been tied up in a treaty through the good offices of the World Bank, who worked very hard over it. I had to take part in the discussions on that question also. My first visit to New Delhi after partition was in connection with that dispute. These were two major questions that I had to deal with, though the waters question was not strictly within my portfolio, but it did affect our foreign relations. Then we had to establish our relations with other