MEA STICKS WITH TWIN PILLARS, SKEPTICAL ON UN

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 006594

SIPDIS

KATHMANDU PASS RICHELSOPH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2015
TAGS: PREL KDEM IN NP CH KS
SUBJECT: MEA STICKS WITH TWIN PILLARS, SKEPTICAL ON UN

REF: NEW DELHI 6411

Classified By: A/DCM Geoff Pyatt for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)


1. (C) A skeptical MEA Joint Secretary (North) Ranjit Rae
told A/DCM on August 26 that the GOI will receive UN envoy
Lakhdar Brahimi in New Delhi on August 30, but was puzzled by
what the UN might expect to accomplish in Nepal. In contrast
to reports in Kathmandu and among non-governmental Indian
Nepal experts (septel) of a growing embrace of republicanism,
Rae said the GOI has no plans for now to abandon its "twin
pillars" policy. The Palace has not made any request as of
yet for a meeting between the King and PM Manmohan Singh on
the margins of the UNGA summit, he reported. He added that
Brahimi has not mentioned to India the idea of a four party
(India, US, UK, UN) meeting on Nepal in New York.


2. (C) Notwithstanding the RNA debacle at Kalikot, Rae
remarked that New Delhi still sees a Maoist victory as
impossible given the guerrillas' rudimentary arms and lack of
broad support, and observed that any arms provided to the RNA
at this point would only postpone the eventual political
settlement that must end the conflict. Nevertheless, the GOI
is disturbed by continued reports of Chinese and Pakistani
arms deals with the RNA, and hopes the US will object to the
transactions (reftel). Rae said that his China division
counterpart was meeting August 26 with the PRC Ambassador to
reiterate Indian unease. For now the GOI believes the PRC is
disinclined to adventurism in Nepal and shares India's
concern about a deteriorating political situation. MEA also
plans to protest to the South Korean Ambassador after
receiving an overflight request for a shipment of
rocket-propelled grenades from South Korea to Nepal.


3. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website:
(http//www.state.sgov/p/sa/newdelhi)
MULFORD