INDIAN MISSION TO IRAQ OPENS DOORS FOR COOPERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 004194 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/03/2015 TAGS: PREL EAID ETRD IZ IN SUBJECT: INDIAN MISSION TO IRAQ OPENS DOORS FOR COOPERATION REF: A. STATE 99923 ¶B. STATE 94861 Classified By: A/DCM Geoffrey Pyatt, for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (C) Summary: On June 1, MEA Joint Secretary (Gulf) Sanjay Singh briefed PolCouns and PolMilOff about West Asia Special Envoy Ambassador Chinmaya Gharekhan's recent visit to Baghdad. As the first official contact between the GOI and the new Iraqi Transitional Government (ITG),Gharekhan's visit was intended to express India's "support and solidarity" for Iraqi reconstruction and democratization and to discuss opportunities for cooperation. According to Singh, the GOI impression of Iraq was one of slow but discernible progress, impeded by both targeted and generalized violence, which may limit Indian presence in the capital. Gharekhan, however, has also reported back that India needs to be more engaged, and Singh (for the first time) acknowledged that terrorists operating in Iraq are part of a transnational network that also threatens India. New Delhi will engage Baghdad in various upcoming fora, including the EU-US international conference, and the Indo-Iraq Joint Commission, and may consider replicating successful Afghan projects in Iraq. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Sanjay Singh's June 1 readout was notable both for a renewed impression of GOI engagement in Iraq and for the Joint Secretary's acknowledgment that Iraq is making gradual progress. He acknowledged a level of normalcy in Baghdad, despite the considerable problem of insecurity. As in Punjab during the 1990's, Singh said, Iraqi civilians are demonstrating a strong will to get on with their lives in the face of pervasive and often random violence. ¶3. (C) While in Baghdad May 23-26, West Asia Special Envoy Gharekhan and MEA J/S Singh met with Prime Minister Jaafari and officials from the Ministries of Oil, Industry, Trade, Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Education. Gharekhan's mission was meant to express GOI support for reconstruction and democratization and to discuss opportunities for cooperation. (Note: In his briefing to PolCouns and PolMilOff, J/S Singh pointedly distinguished between the GOI offer of cooperation vice assistance; "assistance would require more negotiation," he stated. End Note.) ¶4. (C) In his meeting with PM Jaafari, Gharekhan conveyed India's "support and solidarity" for Iraqi reconstruction and democratization and personally relayed PM Manmohan Singh's "keen interest" to "do whatever is necessary to establish a close and cooperative relationship" with the new government. Gharekhan invited the Iraqi PM and other members of the ITG to visit India to consult with relevant ministries. Jaafari, in turn, extended an invitation to PM Manmohan Singh to visit Iraq. Although the GOI understands that the ITG may not ask for external assistance with drafting its constitution, according to Singh, Gharekhan told Jaafari that members of Iraq's Constitutional Committee would be welcome to visit India to learn about democratic functions, e.g., election infrastructure, civil society, etc. The J/S remarked that Jaafari impressed the Indian delegation with his extensive knowledge of the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, and noted that the PM "seems to be a man of philosophy." ¶5. (C) Following up on the Iraqi PM's interest in democratization, Gharekhan inquired about Sunni representation on the Constitutional Committee. According to Singh, the Minister of Interior stated that the number of Sunnis on the committee will be increased from three to 18. PolCouns noted that Secretary Rice has also advocated for broad Sunni representation in the ITG. Although Sunni representation is important, "we look at Iraq as a secular country," Singh stated. He added that India was most interested in helping with the building blocs of Iraqi democracy -- human rights commissions, election commissions, and other institutions where India enjoys expertise. Reconvening the Indo-Iraq Joint Commission -------------- ¶6. (SBU) In meetings with the Ministries of Oil, Trade, and Industry, Gharekhan raised the issue of reconvening the Indo-Iraq Joint Commission (JC),previously chaired by the oil ministers. Officials from the Ministry of Trade suggested that in preparation for the JC, a joint working group first meet to forge an agenda and outline pending issues from the last meeting of the body in Baghdad in September 2002. Gharekhan also extended an invitation to a delegation from the Iraqi Chamber of Commerce to visit India to discuss ways to increase trade between the two countries. Model Projects from Afghanistan -------------- ¶7. (C) While large-scale Indian projects in Iraq will have to await improvement in the security climate, PolCouns suggested the GOI consider engagement on smaller, more immediate projects. Using successful Indian projects in Afghanistan as a model, PolCouns asked, for instance, whether the GOI had considered replicating its Afghan telemedicine project in Iraqi hospitals, possibly starting someplace like Basra or Najaf. Such a high-profile project would highlight Indian expertise in medicine and satellite technology, while responding to a critical need in Iraq. Singh, familiar with the GOI project in Afghanistan, said this was "totally possible," adding that "we're looking for partners" to facilitate Indian involvement. Educational Exchange -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Educational exchange is currently the most active area of engagement between the two countries, and officials in the Ministry of Education expressed gratitude for opportunities Iraqis have to study and train in India, according to Singh. The J/S admitted, however, that slots allotted for Iraqis in higher education and vocational training programs in India are underutilized this year compared to last. Singh attributed this to lack of acceptance of Iraqi educational certificates in Indian institutions, a problem that could be resolved by regularized university-to-university exchanges. Singh suggested that the Iraqi mission in New Delhi have an education attache to facilitate these linkages. Uncertain about Security -------------- ¶9. (C) Underscoring GOI concern about stability and safety, Gharekhan met with the Iraqi National Security Advisor for a briefing about the security situation throughout the country. Observing that Iraqis seem undeterred by the heavy military presence in Baghdad, Singh nevertheless expressed strong personal hesitation about the security situation in the capital which may limit the GOI presence there. He commented that the Iraqi security services "seem to have their hands full" coping with Shia-Sunni tension, the transnational flow of insurgents, as well as generalized crime. Singh stated that "Criminals who got their freedom as (a result of Saddam's fall and the US intervention) are a bigger danger than the terrorists." He added that kidnapping has become an industry and is even being "out-sourced" to "criminal contractors" who kidnap internationals and Iraqis for profit. PolCouns encouraged the GOI to consider assisting Iraq with security training that builds on India's own experience in successfully controlling similar situations while still maintaining respect for democracy and human rights. Singh indicated that Gharekhan had told the Iraqi NSA that India was prepared to "cooperate" in this area. Opportunities for Engagement -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Taking advantage of increasing Indian interest in Iraq, PolCouns urged the GOI to send a high-level representative to the upcoming US-EU conference (Ref B). Singh indicated that Gharekhan would likely represent the GOI but noted that the final level of GOI presence would be decided by the Foreign Minister. ¶11. (U) Singh welcomed the visit of Iraq Coordinator Ambassador Richard Jones, June 9-10 (Ref A). Although Ambassador Gharekhan will be in the US on a personal visit at that time, the J/S was hopeful that the two Ambassadors would be able to meet when Jones returns to the US. Singh suggested that Jones meet with technical ministries in New Delhi to discuss useful areas of engagement in Iraq. ¶12. (C) PolCouns described the Iraqi Embassy's initiative to convene a seminar for GOI and industry representative in New Delhi to discuss opportunities for India in Iraq and inquired about MEA involvement in that effort. Singh admitted that some GOI officials had sought permission from MEA to participate in the event, which they need not do, he stressed, but did because of "well-known sensitivities" about Iraq. ¶13. (C) Finally, PolCouns asked about the status of the exchange of Ambassadors. Singh intimated that the decision was delayed due to ITG hesitation about the previous candidate whose Agrement has been pending since September. (Note: In a June 2 conversation with PolMilOff, the Iraqi Charge confirmed that Baghdad had withdrawn the previous candidate from consideration. End Note.) In the meantime, PolCouns encouraged MEA to maintain closer contact with the Iraqi mission in New Delhi to facilitate exploring these emerging opportunities. Singh indicated that an Indian Ambassador would be posted to Baghdad soon. BLAKE