GOI ON ICJ ELECTIONS DEMARCHE, ITALIAN COESPU

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 007752 SIPDIS DEPT FOR PM/PPA RFEATHERSTONE E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/04/2015 TAGS: PREL KPKO KUNR IN IT UNSC UNGA GOI SUBJECT: GOI ON ICJ ELECTIONS DEMARCHE, ITALIAN COESPU TRAINING, UN REFORM REF: A. STATE 179062 ¶B. STATE 183291 Classified By: PolCouns Geoff Pyatt for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: PolCouns and Poloff delivered Ref A demarche on ICJ elections, discussed Ref B plans for funding travel of Indian students to Italy's Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units, and reviewed the way forward for cooperation on UN reform in an October 5 conversation with MEA Joint Secretary (UN Political) Sanjiv Arora, who had recently returned from the UNGA meetings in New York. With decision-makers back in New Delhi, now would be a good time to again engage with the GOI on working together on UN reform areas of mutual interest. End Summary. ICJ Elections -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Noting the strong USG interest in Judge Buergenthal's reelection, Arora stated that India would look into his candidacy, but made no commitment on support. He undertook to notify us of any GOI decision. COESPU Funding -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Arora expressed appreciation that the US and Italy had agreed to fund travel of Indian students for COESPU, and stated that the GOI would forward the list of participants to the Italian Embassy after receiving a note verbale from the Italians confirming the funding. (Note: The Italian Embassy told us that they expect to send the note verbale on October 5 or 6. End Note) Arora agreed that the US, India and Italy should continue to explore ways to integrate India's peacekeeping training resources into a joint approach to enhance global peace support operations capabilities. UN Reform Efforts Continue -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The Outcome Document at the UNGA Summit was a "mixed bag" in India's view. Arora observed that while achieving a consensus was admirable, developing country concerns were not adequately represented in the Document. He agreed that it would be useful for the US and India to continue to consult on areas of UN reform to identify how to move common interests forward. Arora highlighted cooperation under the auspices of the UN Democracy Fund as a key area of US-India collaboration that should be encouraged. Comment: Need to Re-engage on UN Reform -------------- ¶5. (C) The sometimes contradictory Indian messages on UN reform are in part a result of the division of responsibility among New Delhi bureaucrats, New York-based diplomats, and traveling high-level MEA officials during the hectic month of September. The prickliness of some Indian diplomats in New York also reflects disappointment at US opposition to India's highest-priority goal (a permanent UNSC seat). Since the decision-makers have returned to New Delhi, now would be a good time to again meet at a high level to determine exactly where US and Indian objectives intersect, and how we can best move those goals forward. ¶6. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website: (http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/) Mulford