INDIA NOT AVERSE TO HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL PROPOSAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 004934

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2015
TAGS: PREL KUNR PHUM IN
SUBJECT: INDIA NOT AVERSE TO HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL PROPOSAL

REF: A. STATE 119812

B. NEW DELHI 3973

Classified By: Charge Bob Blake, for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)


1. (C) On June 29, Charge reviewed Ref A points with MEA
Joint Secretary (UN Political) Hamid Ali Rao, emphasizing
that at this early stage in the discussions, the US would
like other countries to avoid making preemptive negative
statements about the proposed Human Rights Council (HRC).
Noting that India's UN voting record had come under scrutiny
in Washington in the context of UNSC expansion discussions,
the Charge told Rao that the USG hoped New Delhi would adopt
a more forward-leaning stance in promoting and protecting
human rights and democracy. The US and India hoped to
announce a joint Democracy Initiative during PM Manmohan
Singh's July 18 trip to Washington, and it was important in
this context for India to be making positive remarks about
the HRC. Charge specifically asked that the MEA be sure
India's UN Mission has the appropriate positive instructions.


2. (C) Rao responded that the GOI had not altered its
position on the proposed HRC since the May 26 visit of S/UNR
Ambassador Tahir-Kheli (Ref B); namely that India is open to
suggestions for reforming UN human rights bodies, but has not
taken a position on what the outcome should be. He undertook
to verify that India's PermRep and other delegation members
would not make any contradictory statements in the upcoming
open discussions in New York. Rao emphasized that India has
been "very engaged" on UN human rights reform and has a
"positive outlook," adding that the GOI is also very
committed to seeing its Democracy Initiative proposal succeed.
BLAKE