INDIA FOR ARF MD SEMINAR, IF EVERYONE ELSE IS

UNCLAS NEW DELHI 001223 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL IN ASEAN SUBJECT: INDIA FOR ARF MD SEMINAR, IF EVERYONE ELSE IS REF: STATE 24613 ¶1. (SBU) In response to reftel points and concept paper regarding an ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) seminar on missile defense (MD),MEA Director (Disarmament and International Security) Venu Rajamony told us on February 15 that the GOI would support it and would be interested in attending, as long as there is consensus within the ARF. PolCouns encouraged New Delhi's participation, noting that the USG is offering this initiative as a gesture of transparency and in the interest of greater regional stability. Rajamony cautioned, however, that the GOI would want to keep a low profile on these missile defense issues in the ARF and would be unlikely to make any sort of presentation at an ARF seminar. ¶2. (SBU) Rajamony asked if other ARF members had expressed an interest in the MD seminar, recalling that China had been "nervous" about it at the October 2004 Intersessional Support Group (ISG) Meeting. The Director added that he planned to attend the February 21-23 ISG in Berlin. He asked that we flag for the USG delegation two ideas that India will advance in Berlin: an ARF workshop on coordination of maritime security training, and a cybersecurity initiative. MULFORD