INDIAN MID-EAST ENVOY PITCHES FOR GAZA ROLE,

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 006218

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2015
TAGS: PREL EAID MASS IZ IS IN
SUBJECT: INDIAN MID-EAST ENVOY PITCHES FOR GAZA ROLE,
LAMENTS INACTION ON IRAQ

REF: NEW DELHI 5355

Classified By: Charge Robert O. Blake, Jr. for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)


1. (C) In an August 10 meeting with the Charge, GOI "West
Asia" Special Envoy Chinmaya Gharekhan underlined New Delhi's
strong interest in contributing to the task of Israeli
disengagement from Gaza, and noted that India was discussing
with the Palestinians how best to channel its $50 million
assistance commitment. Against this background, the GOI is
pitching for an invitation to participate in the Ad Hoc
Liaison Committee, and has made this proposal formally to the
Norwegians (who reportedly replied favorably). The Indians
are also discussing their Palestinian initiative with the
Israelis, including Defense Ministry security adviser Amos
Gilad, who visited New Delhi July 26-27. "We want to be
involved," Gharekhan underlined.


2. (C) The West Asia Envoy also discussed recent Indian
initiatives on Iraq (reftel) and reaffirmed the GOI offer for
military or police training. Responding to the Charge's
suggestion that the US-India Democracy Initiative unveiled at
the White House on July 18 might allow for an Iraq project,
Gharekhan reaffirmed the Indian offer of assistance to the
Constitution drafting process. He acknowledged that time was
now very short for anyone outside Iraq to engage in this
effort, but underlined that Prime Minister Singh was "really
excited about the prospect of India being helpful." He
replied favorably to the Charge's suggestion of a meeting
between the Indian and Iraqi Foreign Ministers at UNGA, and
indicated he would also recommend a meeting between Singh and
Prime Minister Al-Jaafari, if the two will be in New York at
the same time.


3. (C) PolCouns noted that the question of military and
security force training for Iraqis had come up in a recent
discussion between Army Chief of Staff General Schoomaker and
Indian Vice-Chief of Army Staff Thakur. Gharekhan jumped in
to say that this Indian offer was still very much on the
table, but so far the Iraqis have not responded. "There is
no doubt that we are ready to help," the Ambassador
underlined. He added that India has also presented Baghdad
with an offer of 100 scholarships for graduate level
education, but here too New Delhi is waiting for suitable
candidates.


4. (C) Comment: Gharekhan's appointment resulted from the GOI
concern that its influence in the Middle East was waning at a
time of political ferment across the region. He was visibly
frustrated by New Delhi's inability to become more engaged in
the process of Israeli redeployment. On Iraq, security
concerns continue to limit GOI involvement, but India's
contributions are also impeded by poor communications with
the authorities in Baghdad.
BLAKE