AFGHAN FM ABDULLAH DISCUSSES TALIBAN VIOLENCE,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 005117

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/04/2015
TAGS: PREL EAID AF IN PK UNSC
SUBJECT: AFGHAN FM ABDULLAH DISCUSSES TALIBAN VIOLENCE,
US-AFGHAN PARTNERSHIP WITH GOI

REF: NEW DELHI 3746

Classified By: PolCouns Geoff Pyatt. Reasons 1.4(b,d)


1. (C) Summary: Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah's July 3-5
visit to New Delhi was uneventful, but gave the GOI a chance
to display its continued commitment to Afghan reconstruction
and its determination to play a role in Central Asia through
its relationships in Afghanistan. According to the Afghan
Embassy, India's Foreign Minister commented favorably on the
US-Afghanistan strategic partnership, but expressed concern
over the risk to Indian business and aid efforts from
continued Taliban violence in Afghanistan. End Summary.


2. (U) Abdullah's July 3-5 visit included calls on FM Natwar
Singh and PM Manmohan Singh. Media reports of both meetings
focused on Abdullah's accusations that "outside supporters"
were assisting Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan, but also
highlighted India's contributions to Afghan reconstruction,
noting that approximately half of India's USD 500 million
pledge of assistance has been disbursed. The MEA's public
statement on the visit emphasized India's continued
commitment to Afghan development, and thanked Afghanistan for
the "constructive role" it plays in the Organization of the
Islamic Conference (which India has not been able to join)
and its decision to co-sponsor the G-4 framework resolution
on UN Security Council expansion.


3. (C) MEA Director (Afghanistan) Namgyal told Poloff on
July 5 that Abdullah's visit was "not very intense," noting
that Abdullah discussed Indian involvement in reconstruction
efforts as well as Afghanistan's security concerns. Abdullah
was "very worried" about the increased Taliban activity in
Afghanistan, but asserted that the attacks would not be able
to derail the reconstruction and democratic progress
Afghanistan was making, Namgyal reported. In contrast to
media reports focusing on Abdullah's complaints about
Pakistani supporters of the Taliban, Namgyal highlighted
Abdullah's conciliatory July 4 public statements, made after
his meetings with GOI officials, in which the Afghan FM
commended Pakistan's efforts to crack down on extremists
operating in its territory.


4. (C) Afghan Embassy Political-Economic Counselor Abdul
Shoogufan echoed Namgyal's positive assessment of the
meetings in a July 5 discussion with Poloff. While Abdullah
did outline his concerns about Pakistani support for Taliban
remnants to his GOI interlocutors, he also sought to assure
the GOI that incidents of violence were few and far-between,
and should not be an impediment to Indian reconstruction
projects and business activities in Afghanistan, Shoogufan
said. FM Natwar Singh reiterated India's commitment to
reconstruction in Afghanistan, and commented favorably on the
US-Afghan strategic partnership, noting that a stable and
secure Afghanistan is in India's interest, and India
recognizes the need for the "international community" to
remain engaged in Afghanistan to ensure that outcome
(Reftel).


5. (C) The two Foreign Ministers discussed preparations for
the PM's planned late August visit to Kabul, to include the
signing of MOUs on Indian training and assistance for Afghan
workers in medicine and education, Shoogufan said. (Note:
Media sources have reported that the PM's visit will take
place in September to coincide with the inauguration of the
Indian-constructed Afghan Parliament building. End Note)
They also reviewed their efforts to convince Pakistan to
allow transit of Indian goods overland to Afghanistan, with
Abdullah noting that this was an area for Afghanistan to
continue working. Shoogufan pointed out that persuading
Pakistan would require a concerted effort by both Afghanistan
and the US.

Comment
--------------

5. (C) Although early press reports seized on Abdullah's
references to "outside supporters" of the Taliban, his later
statements commending Pakistan's efforts to clamp down on al
Qaeda and Taliban elements pleased his GOI hosts, who have
toned down their own condemnations of Pakistan in order to
nurture the recent warming of Indo-Pak relations. The
upcoming visit of the PM to Kabul (the first in 30 years)
will be a significant opportunity for India to showcase the
reconstruction aid to Afghanistan of which it is very proud,
and to reinforce its effort to position itself as a friend of
Afghanistan and a growing player in Central Asia. Also
notable is the fact that India is continuing to press the
issue of transit rights through Pakistan, which New Delhi
sees as key to its long-term agenda in Central Asia.
BLAKE