§ Mr. Russellasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on the proposal that a squadron of Royal Air Force fighter aircraft should visit India.
§ Mr. SandysSince my visit to India in November, the British Government have been co-operating with the Government of India in improving the air defences of India in a variety of ways. Early this year, an Air Defence Mission, comprising representatives of the air forces of Britain, the United States, Canada and Australia, visited India at the invitation of the Government of India and made certain recommendations. The Governments of Britain and the United States, in agreement with the Government of India, now intend each to send to India a squadron of fighter aircraft on occasional visits for participation in joint air defence training exercises with the Indian Air Force. It is clearly understood between the Government of India and Her Majesty's Government that the visits of an R.A.F. squadron will not constitute any prior commitment to come to the aid of India in the event of a renewed attack by China. In accordance with normal Commonwealth understandings, the British Government would, in this event, immediately consult the Government of India.