UNCLAS NEW DELHI 002567

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL KDEM AF IN
SUBJECT: ELECTION ASSISTANCE FOR AFGHANISTAN: INDIA WILL
CONSIDER ANY REQUEST

REF: A. STATE 61560

B. NEW DELHI 395


1. (SBU) MEA Joint Secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran)
Dilip Sinha told PolCouns on April 6 that while India had not
received any specific request from Kabul for assistance with
the September 8 parliamentary elections, New Delhi was
willing to look favorably at our request. Sinha emphasized
India's commitment to contributing as much as possible in
Afghanistan, noting that the GOI had agreed to provide
technical training for the Parliamentary Secretariat. He
added that he would check with both the UNDP, whose request
this is, as well as the Government of Afghanistan.


2. (SBU) Updating on India's pledge during President
Karzai's February New Delhi visit to complete the Kabul to
Pul-i-Khumri transmission line project (ref B), Sinha
explained that the GOI was still in the process of obtaining
internal approvals. Although this would take "some time," he
was optimistic that construction could still start in April
as the GOI had intended.


3. (SBU) Noting the importance of Indian support for
Afghanistan, PolCouns reintroduced the idea we had initially
proposed to Sinha's predecessor, Arun K. Singh, of a day of
consultations in Washington. PolCouns suggested that if
Sinha should visit the US on other business, he consider
meeting with Special Coordinator for Afghanistan Ambassador
Quinn and possibly US officials responsible for Iran as well.
MULFORD