TURKEY AND THE U.S.-INDIA CIVIL NUCLEAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 004645 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2015 TAGS: ENRG ETTC KNNP PARM PREL IN SUBJECT: TURKEY AND THE U.S.-INDIA CIVIL NUCLEAR COOPERATION INITIATIVE REF: STATE 133163 Classified By: Political Military Counselor Timothy A. Betts for reason s 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) In response to polmilcouns August 9 presentation of reftel points, MFA South Asia Deputy Director General Aydin Evergin said Ankara saw the growing potential of India as a positive contributor to the international community in much the same light as does Washington. As a result, the GOT was planning to step up its dialogue and cooperation with India. ¶2. (C) Regarding US-India nuclear cooperation, Evergin thought India's commitment to IAEA safeguards, the additional protocol and other international standards of conduct regarding its civilian nuclear industry was a positive step. He said Turkey would be helpful in developing India's participation in various arms control fora, although he would need to coordinate with the MFA arms control department on the details. ¶3. (C) Evergin asked whether the US might take a similar initiative with Pakistan. Drawing from reftel, polmilcouns replied that India's civilian nuclear sector was on an entirely different scale than Pakistan's, although we do have a bilateral nuclear safety dialogue with Pakistan. MCELDOWNEY