THOUGH the messages from India had prepared the public in London for the worst, the news of breakdown of the Simla talks has still caused a shock. Memories of the first Simla Conference’s failure have been revived, but with the important difference that Mr. Jinnah is no longer held up as an unreasonable man.

The general opinion is well expressed by Mr. Colin Reid of the “Daily Telegraph” when he says: “The Simla Conference of 1945 failed on refusal of the Muslim League to co-operate. The breakdown this time is being attributed to the Congress.”

Political circles in London are appreciative of Mr. Jinnah’s concessions on the subject of union centre. These concessions have detracted much from the strength of the Congress propaganda that Mr. Jinnah is totally indifferent to all India co-operation.

Some are frankly mystified by the Congress attitude at Simla: they think that having accepted the need of a separate Muslim region — the major issue, which is being demanded expressly to prevent control of affairs by a Hindu-dominated centre — any effort to strengthen the centre is bound to frustrate hopes of settlement. It is, however, hoped that this attitude will yet change.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2021