"مذكرة للنقيب إيستويك" [و‎‎٢‎٢] (١٠/٣)

While considering the intimate connexion of
the interests of British Indian subjects, of the
subjects of allied Native States, and of India gene-
lally, with this portion of the dominions of Persia,
and the necessity of dealing with questions that may
arise, not merely with reference to local and tem
porary objects, but on the basis of a large and com
prehensive policy applicable to our widely extended
empire in India, the further question mooted in
these papers, as to the proper Department which
should conduct our relations with Persia, is naturally
suggested.
13. It will, I think, be admitted, that if it were
not for our Indian empire, British relations with
Persia would be shorn of half their importance.
The chief matters which form the subject of diplo
matic discussion and correspondence between the
two countries, have more or less reference to India.
This is the only ground on which the annual payment
of 12,000/. for the Persian mission from the Indian
revenues can be justified.
14. There is one subject especially which is
assuming larger proportions every day, and occu
pying the attention of all whose duty it is to watch
over the safety and progress of our Indian territories,
the question of Central Asia. I am not one of those
who view the advance of Russia with any undue
alarm, but I nevertheless recognize, in the gradual
approach of a great European power towards our
North-Western frontier, an element of disturbance
which should not be overlooked.
15. I know well, from experience (having held a
political appointment on the Indus), the spirit that
animates the warlike Mahomedan tribes of those
countries, and their traditional impressions of plunder
gained in former invasions of Hindostan. These
impressions, though dormant at present, may at any
favourable moment be roused into activity, and
when combined with religious fanatacism represent
a formidable danger not to be despised by prudent
statesmen.
16. Such questions are little understood, and,
consequently, little appreciated by diplomatic agents
educated in the purely English scnool; they are,
on the other hand, very familiar to the thoughts,
studies, and experiance of Indian political officers,
and are thoroughly grasped and mastered by them
in all their various bearings.
17. One great advantage, therefore, which would
result from the transfer of the conduct of our re
lations with Persia to the India Office would be, in
my opinion, the power possessed by the Indian Se
cretary of consulting those who had held high office
in India, and had been in the habit of considering
large political questions, and who would bring local
knowledge and practical experience to bear upon
many of the matters that would come up for
discussion.