Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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04NEWDELHI7380 | 2004-11-19 11:07:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy New Delhi |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. |
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 007380 |
1. (U) Summary: The GOI used a recent visit by IAEA Director General Dr. Mohammed El Baradei to press its case for reform of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) requirements to facilitate India's cooperation with others in the international community in using nuclear power to fill the country's growing energy needs. In Delhi, El Baradei met with NSA Dixit, FS Saran and other MEA officials with whom he also discussed Iran, and proliferation. In Mumbai, he met with India's civilian nuclear establishment. According to our MEA contacts, the IAEA DG indicated that India's engagement with the US is crucial to its hopes for enhanced international nuclear cooperation, and in this context welcomed recent progress on the NSSP. End Summary. Full-Scope Safeguards: US in the Driver's Seat -------------------------- - 2. (C) In a November 18 meeting with PolCouns and PolOff, MEA Deputy Secretary (Disarmament and International Security) Naveen Srivastava reported that in both his keynote speech to Indian scientists and in meetings with GOI officials, El Baradei stressed the role of the IAEA in promoting access to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, an objective that is especially critical for rapidly expanding economies such as India and China. In meetings with the IAEA DG, GOI officials pressed for "positive discrimination" to enable India to safely develop its nuclear power program in order to meet its energy requirements while addressing global concern about greenhouse gases. El Baradei agreed that nuclear power should be a larger percentage of India's energy mix, i.e., increasing from 3.4% to 25% of India's energy sources. PolCouns queried whether GOI officials asked El Baradei about options for reconciling this goal with the NSG's full-scope safeguards requirement. Srivastava confirmed that they had, but El Baradei referred them back to the USG. The Indian media note on the visit said the GOI "emphasized that while there is a need to address the emerging concerns about proliferation...this should not impede the fullest use of nuclear energy by states with a proven record of safety and responsibility, such as India whose record in this regard was second to none." El Baradei Believes Security Drives the Iran Program -------------------------- -------------------------- 3. (C) On Iran, El Baradei told GOI officials that he believes security is best addressed "by partnerships (between countries), not dominance." He prefers to continue to engage Iran rather than refer the matter to the UN Security Council. Because Iran is surrounded by hostile neighbors, the IAEA chief said that he believes Iran's nuclear objectives are based primarily on its security concerns and that its energy requirements are secondary. The Indians reaffirmed their view that Iran should comply with its NPT obligations, adding that Iranian nuclear weaponization would be a threat to the region. State Support for Proliferators -------------------------- 4. (C) Regarding proliferation, GOI officials raised their concern about "the receiving side, not the supply side" of the AQ Khan network. El Baradei outlined a network reaching more than 20 states, including some Western countries. According to Srivastava, the IAEA chief said he believed that Libya's involvement in the network may have been limited to one person, but contacts with the DPRK and Iran were more extensive than that and would have required state support. Adding his own comment, Srivastava stated that although El Baradei was careful not to say that Pakistani, DPRK or Iranian state structures were involved, "that is clearly what he implied." US Engagement Crucial to India's Civilian Nuclear Goals -------------------------- -------------------------- 5. (C) El Baradei also told GOI officials that India's engagement with the US was crucial to its hopes for enhanced international nuclear cooperation. In this context, he was pleased with the progress on the NSSP, according to Srivastava. The Indians used the occasion to reaffirm their strong commitment to maintaining "a pristine onward proliferation record." In follow-up with PolCouns, MEA Director (Disarmament and International Security) Venu Rajamony confirmed New Delhi's recognition that Indo-US cooperation on the reactor island would not be possible as part of the first three phases of the NSSP, but would be a GOI priority for later phases. PolCouns remarked that the NSSP is moving rapidly, noting that Indian Ambassador Sen optimistically hopes to conclude Phase Two by the end of the year (reftel). PolCouns reiterated Washington's suggestion that India look to Israel as an example of a country that has benefited from stricter export controls because greater trust in their business environment has resulted in more high-tech trade. "But you haven't sanctioned them," Rajamony countered, adding that the NSSP will help to build an atmosphere of mutual trust between the US and India. He remarked that NSSP issues will likely be addressed in the upcoming India-Israel non-proliferation dialogue. BLAKE |