Your D.469 and D.470.

1. The developments in India in relation to possible declaration
of Dominion Status covering separable portions of India are, as
pointed out in paragraph 6 of your D.469 [1], of great
significance to Australia. Development has an important bearing on
your Ceylon proposal mentioned in your D.441 and D.428. [2]

2. On several occasions it has been stated on behalf of the
Australian Government by Dr. Evatt that Australia is anxious that
India should remain a member of the British Commonwealth of
Nations. Through our High Commissioner in India we have put this
view as strongly as possible before Indian Leaders of varying
political opinions. We adhere to this attitude on grounds of past
association and future need for friendship and security, pointing
out that the Dominion's interest in the retention of India in the
Commonwealth is entrenched by the declaration contained in the
preamble to the Statute of Westminster which requires the consent
of all the Dominions to any change in Royal titles.

3. If Dominions Status is feasible in relation to portions of
India, it is more feasible in the cases of Ceylon and Burma and
perhaps other areas in South-East Asia. We feel strongly that the
future interests and security of Australia are intimately bound up
with the solution of all these regional problems.

4. In a message sent to you through the High Commissioner at
London we shall reiterate our desire to have British Commonwealth
consultations in Australia as soon as practicable relating to the
settlement with Japan and in these consultations it would, of
course, be necessary for India to be suitably represented. It
should be possible to broaden these proposed discussions here so
as to cover common interests in South-East Asia as well as the
Pacific.