CANADA'S NONPROLIFERATION DIALOGUE WITH INDIA

S E C R E T OTTAWA 000081 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2012 TAGS: ETTC PARM KNNP PREL IN CA SUBJECT: CANADA'S NONPROLIFERATION DIALOGUE WITH INDIA REF: STATE 578 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Brian Flora, Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) Canada shares our concern over Indian export controls on WMD/missile programs, and welcomes our dialogue with India on entities trying to acquire controlled goods (reftel). Marina Laker, Foreign Affairs Deputy Director for Non-Proliferation, Arms Control and Disarmament, told us that Canada regularly raises this issue with the GoI, along with the more general problem of India's nuclear weapons program. She said that Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific David Kilgour is currently in India and will raise these issues. Laker said that because of its non-proliferation concerns, Canadian restrictions on defense exports to India are the most stringent of any Western country, and asked about U.S. loosening of its own restrictions on military sales to India. ¶2. (S) Foreign Minister Graham issued a statement on January 8 urging India not to carry out planned ballistic missile tests, and to abide by UNSCR 1172 by ceasing its development of nuclear weapons and delivery systems. Graham also called on India to adhere to the International Code of Conduct (ICOC) against ballistic missile proliferation. Laker said that Canada has no illusions, however, about how New Delhi will proceed, calling "Indian nonproliferation" an oxymoron. She said that Canada wants to continue to address the issue of Indian proliferation at the Nuclear Suppliers Group, as well as at the Missile Technology Control Regime points of contact meeting in February. GALLAGHER