SPAIN ON U.S.-INDIA CIVIL NUCLEAR COOPERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002813 SIPDIS CIA WASHDC PRIORITY DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC PRIORITY DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD PRIORITY NSC WASHDC PRIORITY SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2015 TAGS: ENRG ETTC PARM PREL KNNP IN SP SUBJECT: SPAIN ON U.S.-INDIA CIVIL NUCLEAR COOPERATION INITIATIVE REF: SECSTATE 133163 Classified By: ESTHOFF KEN FORDER PER 1.4 (B/D) (C) ESTHOFF made reftel points August 1 to MFA International Disarmament Affairs Ambassador Tomas Rodriguez Pantoja, outlining the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Initiative. Rodriguez Pantoja said Spain had been expecting such an agreement and was already aware of its broad outlines. Spain understood the U.S.'s desire to improve relations across the board with India, in particular as this could serve as a counterweight to a rising China. Rodriguez Pantoja said the initiative was filled references to the U.S. and India "intending" to undertake certain actions to assure that the July 18 agreement does not undermine extant international disarmament and nonproliferation architecture. The jury will be out until it is clear that the U.S. exercises its influence over India to assure that intentions become realities. In this regard, the single most pressing issue is the need for India to sign the NPT. Also important are India's need to adhere to NSG and MTCR guidelines, as well as place its civilian nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards. AGUIRRE