[For Favour of Publication]

Summary

This two-page press note, dated December 22, 1967, reports M. R. Masani’s criticism of the Indian Government’s alleged accommodation of the Soviet Union. Masani calls for revoking the Novosti agreement, investigating its approval without Cabinet or ministerial authorization, and allowing Aziz Ulong-Zade to choose his future domicile without Soviet pressure. He presents Novosti, Soviet radio broadcasts, and related propaganda as evidence of an effort to influence Indian public life and foreign policy.

The note also criticizes Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s visits to Moscow, the appointment of S. S. Dhawan as High Commissioner to London, and the Government’s handling of relations with Pakistan and China. Masani links these decisions to what he describes as Moscow’s changing attitude toward India, Soviet pressure from Beijing, and the Indian Communist Party’s alleged movement away from parliamentary democracy. He concludes that any decision concerning the Soviet Union should be made domestically, without foreign influence. The document contains no printed title or author byline and ends with an internal “Not for publication” signature block signed by A. P. Jain.

Key points

• M. R. Masani accuses the Government of leaning toward the Soviet Union and urges protection of Aziz Ulong-Zade’s freedom of choice.
• The note calls for revocation and investigation of the Novosti agreement, which it portrays as an unauthorized concession to Soviet propaganda.
• Masani criticizes Soviet broadcasting, including Radio Peace and Progress and the John Smith story, as hostile propaganda directed against India.
• Indira Gandhi’s Moscow visits and the appointment of S. S. Dhawan to London are presented as damaging to India’s prestige and relations with Britain.
• The note attributes Moscow’s altered policy toward India to pressure from Beijing and Pakistan’s closer relationship with China.
• Masani describes the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) as moving toward revisionism or away from parliamentary democracy.
• The document argues that India should make its decisions about the Soviet Union independently of foreign governments.