"My dear Maharaja Sahib,
Your Highness' letter dated 26 October has been delivered to me by Mr. V. P. Menon. In
the
special circumstances mentioned by your Highness my Government have decided to accept the
accession of Kashmir State to the Dominion of India. Consistently with their policy that
in the case of any State where the issue of accession has been the subject of dispute, the
question if accession
should be decided in accordance with the wishes of the people of the State, it is my
Government's
wish that as soon as law and order have been restored in Kashmir and her soil cleared of
the invader the question of the State's accession should be settled by a reference to the
people.
Meanwhile in response to your Highness' appeal for military aid action has been taken
today to send troops of the Indian Army to Kashmir to help your own forces to defend your
territory and to
protect the lives, property and honour of your people.
My Government and l note with satisfaction that your Highness has decided to invite Sheikh
Abdullah to form an interim Government to work with your Prime Minister.
With kind regards, I remain,
Yours sincerely,
October 27, 1947.
Mountbatten of Burma."
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