India's Relations With Commonwealth

Chronicle (Levin), 2 November 1948, Page 5

India's Relations With Commonwealth

Received Mondav, 7 p.m, LONDON, Nov.a. Mr. Nehru, during manv conversations with the Prime Ministers at the reeent Empire conference, wovlced out a compromise plan which may solve Ihe problem of India's future constitutional relations with the Commonwealth, says the DaiJy Telegraph 's political correspondent. The plan which Mr. Neliru will place before the, Indian Government. -proposes: — Firstly, that India should become a repuhlic. Secondly, the President should automatically hecome the King's representatiyg in external relations with fom eign Powers. Thirdly, the King to he the head Pf the Commonwealth' as a whole, British circles regard the plan as the most hopeful of the various ideas so far put forward for India's considej'&tiqn, The modification of the King's position in relation to the Commonwealth as a whole, would be necessary. His Majesty at present is King of eaeh Dominiqn. His Majesty, in the compromise scheme, would continue to be King of Brjtain, Oanada, South Afriea, Australia, New Zealand and of those of the new Commonwealth nations which prefer to retain the form of a constitutional monarchy. The President elected by India or any other State which may elfpose Republican form, would " become the King's representative for external relations. His Majesty would have the additional function of King of the Commonwealth at large tliough not of the Republics associated with it so far as their internal adair s are concerned. The proposal is a matter of fine distinctions but it is regarded in Britain as a better sojution than was Eire 's External Relations Act. i