Ext 2598/43 'Control of Movement of Travelers between Afghanistan and Persia' [‎21r] (41/46)

The boundary between Persia and Afghanistan
is also the limit of the Minister of State’s
sphere. While therefore he is not concerned
with Afghan affairs, we can hardly object to his
taking an interest in suspicious travellers who
cross the frontier into Persia - though the real
reason may be that 8.I.M.S. have time on their hands.
It is rather surprising that Tehran should
have suggested that the Indian security authorities
in Sast Persia should control the frontier. It is
a long frontier and though the roads are few enough
it offers plenty of opportunity for the sort of
travellers the Minister of State has in mind who
are not particularly addicted to using roads when
they wish to cross frontiers. In any case it is
no use asking us whether this is possible. The
suggestion that Sir F. Wylie should keep Tehran
informed of all travellers leaving Afghanistan for
Persia strikes ms as being rather unrealistic.
There is no reason why the Afghans should tell
Sir F. Wylie the names of those people to whom
the?^ grant visas and though he will no doubt do
his best to keep Tehran informed of any travellers
of whom he hears, this check can hardly be an
effective one.
Subject to the views of the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , we
might as a first step repeat this telegram to Kabul
(it has already been repeated to Tehran) and follow
up with a short telegram to both posts asking for
their comments. This is essentially the sort of
problem which must be settled on the spot.
(Sgd.) I.T.M.PINK.
16th May, 1943 .