INDIA PROPOSES INDIA-US GLOBAL DEMOCRACY INITIATIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 004633 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM IN US SUBJECT: INDIA PROPOSES INDIA-US GLOBAL DEMOCRACY INITIATIVE REF: A. STATE 112791 ¶B. NEW DELHI 4354 (SBU) On June 17, Joint Secretary (Americas) Dr. S Jaishankar gave DCM a non-paper "India-US Global Democracy Initiative," in response to a commitment that Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran had made on May 17 to IO/DAS Mark Lagon (Ref A) to develop pilot programs for the UN Democracy Fund that President Bush and PM might announce during their July 18 meeting. Noteworthy is that New Delhi has increased its pledge to the Fund to $10 million, to bring it in line with that of the USG request to Congress for FY-06 (as noted Ref B). Asked where the U.S. and India might work together, Jaishankar responded that Afghanistan and Iraq would be obvious candidates. Begin text: ¶1. The world's oldest democracy and the world's largest democracy have an obligation to the global community to strengthen values, ideals and practices of freedom, pluralism and rule of law. ¶2. As developed democracies, they must assist other societies in transition to become more open and democratic. They recognize democracy as a universal aspiration that transcends social, cultural and religious boundaries. ¶3. While free and fair elections are the foundation of democracies, its pillars are institutions and conventions that give civil society the necessary instruments to realize its freedoms. Where these are weak, the independence and integrity that is (sic) central to democratic processes stand compromised. ¶4. Democratic countries are the prime targets of terrorism, just as they are the best defense against terror. The spread of democracy will make the world safer and more secure. It is inextricably linked to sustainable socio-economic development of societies in transition. ¶5. Strengthening the capacity of emerging democracies to deliver on the compact they have with their peoples is a global challenge that India and United States will address jointly. They will work together to support institutions and develop relevant human resources that make the workings of democracy credible. ¶6. An independent judiciary, a credible election commission, an active human rights commission and effective and transparent auditing process are some of the critical elements of that democratic ideal. The spread of parliamentary practices is also an important contribution to the process of democratic transition. ¶7. Gender equality is an integral aspect of democratic societies and support for programmes promoting this objective is envisaged as a high priority. ¶8. Respect for diversity and pluralism is intrinsic to democracy. India and the US will support programmes that will sustain and nurture the value of pluralism. ¶9. India and the US will encourage and support the United Nations in its electoral assistance programmes, including through national capacity building, constitution drafting and electoral expertise for transitional democracies. ¶10. India and the US resolve to consult closely in pursuance of their common ideals on the spread of democratic values and aspirations and develop specific programmes to strengthen its institutions. ¶11. India and the US welcome the operationalization of the Democracy Fund under the United Nations and announce a contribution of US$ 10 million cash to its corpus fund. They invite other democratic nations to contribute generously to the Fund, which should assist societies in building the institutions of democracy. ¶12. The Indo-US Global Issues Forum is charged with the responsibility of formulating and implementing cooperative proposals under this initiative. End Text. MULFORD