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