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