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