Fantasies Unlimited

Escott Reid was high commissioner of Canada in India from 1952 to 1957. These were the years when, with Conservative governments in Britain and Dulles making policy in Washington, Nehru found a more sympathetic hearing in Ottawa and formed a cordial personal relationship with St. Lurent, the Canadian Prime Minister. In such a favourable setting Reid, indefatigable, taking an interest in everything round him, willing even to be comically exhibitionist if it promised to improve his standing, did all he could to promote Canadian interests in Delhi. Unfortunately for him his enthusiasm was not shared by the Canadian government. St. Laurent might like Nehru, but the Foreign Minister, Lester Pearson, the most influential figure in formulating Canadian policy, gave priority to relations with the United States and Britain.

Replies to Reid’s numerous despatches and cables were often long in coming and the high commissioner was frequently told not to push too much. Reid is honest enough to cite some of these reprimands. ‘We must,’ he was warned on one occasion, ‘keep our heads cool even if we are tempted to reason with our hearts.’