'File 8/3 MUSCAT STATE AFFAIRS: GWADUR/KALAT RELATIONS – SALE OF GWADUR' [‎4r] (7/60)

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COMFIIHi.raiAL
D.O« No»273-S
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the 29th January, 1948
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Please refer to my demi-official letter Noe202-S
dated the 22nd January 1948 regarding Gwadur.
2* I forward herewith a copy of Stewart*s demi-official
letter No.C/47-8/1 dated the 17th January with its enclosure
and a copy of the paragraph of his intelligence Summary referred
to together with a copy of my reply.
3. The ^sp^retion^ cf ..awab Bai Khan Gichki further compli
cate t..e Gw^dur auction and I should not be at all surprised if
he were to make an attempt to reassert the independent or semi-
independent position previously occupied by the Glchkl Nawabs
vis-a-vis the Khan of Kalat. In any case the Nawab An honorific title; an official acting as a provincial deputy ruler in South Asia; or a significant Muslim landowner in nineteenth century India. *s attitude
makes it even more unlikely that the Khan would ue successful in
raising the Mekran tribes for an attack on Gwadur. It is however
possible that he might attempt to use the ISekran Levy Corps which
is a well-trained force though as it is locally recruited it is
doubtful where its allegiance would lie if the Nawab An honorific title; an official acting as a provincial deputy ruler in South Asia; or a significant Muslim landowner in nineteenth century India. was opposed
to the Khan's plans.
4. The latest information inclines me even more to suggest
to the Sultan the desirability of stationing a detachment of the
Muscat infantry at Gwadur. In the event of any kind of rebellion
breaking out against the Khan in Mekran it is obviously desirable
that some such force should be present in Gwadur if only to deal
with refugees. Personally I consider it more likely that the
Nawab An honorific title; an official acting as a provincial deputy ruler in South Asia; or a significant Muslim landowner in nineteenth century India. will continue to intrigue secretly rather than resort to
force, but it is as well to be prepared.
5. The Sultan is now expected back in Muscat about the
middle of March and I am planning to visit him early in April and
to go on from there to Gwadur to obtain first-hand impressions of
the situation there. I hope I may be able to persuade the
Senior Naval Officer Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. to arrange for me to do the
tour in one of H.M's ships.
6. I am sending a copy cf this letter and its enclosures
to Grafftey-Smith and without its enclosures to Stewart.
Sd/- W Hay.
£.P. Donaldson, Esquire, C.M.G..
Commonwealth Relations Office,
CONFIDENTIAL
D.0. No.290.-S
2 .
PERSIAN GULF The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. RESIDENCY An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. .
BAHRAIN, the 30th January, 194S
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Copy forwarded with compliments to:-
1. Sir Lawrence Grafftey-Smith, KCMG., OBE.,
U.K. High Commissioner in Pakistan, KARACHI .
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2. Major A.C. Stewart, O.B.E., /
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , MUSCAT
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