'Proposed Transfers of Aden and Somali Coast to Imperial Government; and of Persian Legation to India' [‎11v] (14/14)

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some grounds for thinking that the purely Eastern
methods of diplomacy which have been so ably advo
cated by Sir Henry Rawlinson may, in the course
of years, become less adapted to the requirements of
the Persian Court than in former days. But we con
sider nevertheless that the interests of India should be
represented at Tehran > and we are therefore prepared,
in modification of the views expressed in the despatch
of the Government of India, No. Zff, dated the 19th
April 1872, to suggest that a Secretary of Legation
and a Military Attach^ should be appointed by the
Government of India. The Secretary of Legation,
while subordinate to Her Majesty’s Minister, would
be in possession of the views of this Government on
questions affecting Indian interests, and would be
recognized as the adviser of the Minister on such
matters.”
Again, about a year later (25th May 18/6),
Lord Lytton’s Government confirmed these
modified views and wrote to the Secretaiy of
State :—
“ The representation of specially Indian interests
has, for many years, been so neglected, or at least so
unsuccessfully maintained, at the Court of Tehran, and
the influence of Russia at that Court has, during the
same period, so greatly increased, and so firmly estab
lished itself, that it would now be difficult to re-consti-
tute Persia into a really effectual bulwark to this
Empire, without an expenditure largely exceeding any
which the Indian revenues are at present able to afford.
For this reason, and also because, in consequence of the
above-mentioned fact, the character of diplomatic rela
tions with Persia must now be determined by consider
ations subject to the general foreign policy of Her
Majesty’s Government, we think that the time is past
when the entire establishment, and direct management,
of the British Mission at Tehran could be advanta
geously undertaken by the Government of India.
“ There are still, however, so many important
questions in connection with which the interests of India
may be advantageously, or injuriously, affected by the
conduct of the Persian Government, that we deem it
extremely desirable that some officer thoroughly con
versant with those interests (political and commercial, as
well as military) should be on the permanent staff of
Her Majesty’s Legation in Persia.”
It need only be added that a year ago the
office of Oriental Secretary to Her Majesty’s
Legation at Tehran was created. The post is
held by an Indian Officer, and the intention is
believed to be always to appoint an Indian
Officer, so that although the creation of the
post was suggested by the Minister and for
the benefit of the Legation, the incumbent may
in many informal ways be able to represent
Indian view s, and benefit Indian interests.
Foreign Office Frew— 5o. 204—12-8-90—54.