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.

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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.

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MULFORD