COUNTERNARCOTICS DEMARCHE: INDIAN AID WILL BE

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 002473 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/31/2015 TAGS: PREL SNAR IN UK AF SUBJECT: COUNTERNARCOTICS DEMARCHE: INDIAN AID WILL BE DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE REF: A. STATE 58810 ¶B. NEW DELHI 1521 Classified By: A/PolCouns Matt Boyse. Reasons 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (C) Poloff delivered counternarcotics demarche (Ref A) to MEA Director (Afghanistan) Tsewang Namgyal on April 1 following confirmation from British High Commission of delivery of the Jack Straw letter. Namgyal confirmed our UK colleague's report that India is not considering a contribution to the Counter Narcotics Trust Fund, but will instead implement a "community development program" to provide alternative livelihood options for poppy farmers (Ref B). ¶2. (C) Noting that the Afghan government had requested India's assistance in this field, Namgyal stated that after the GOA selects an area for the pilot project (expected in April),the GOI will send a team from its Planning Commission to assess options and implement employment projects. If the pilot project is successful, India will replicate the program in other areas, he stated. DUSHANBE MINIMIZE CONSIDERED MULFORD